BROMSGROVE Sporting manager Paul Smith has called on his players to bounce back after their 17-game unbeaten run in the league was ended by a 2-1 defeat to Cadbury Athletic.

The Rouslers were shot down by second half goals at the Victoria Ground, suffering their first loss in the Midlands Football League Division One since September 13.

Frustratingly for Sporting, they missed a chance to close the gap on leaders Highgate United, who were edged out 4-3 by Stafford Town.

Smith said: “I thought we played well and if we had taken one of the three good chances to make it 2-0 then it would have been a different game.

“Cadbury were playing well but it was a sucker punch them winning the game.

“We have taken five points out of five games which obviously is not title-winning form.

“We’ve got to get back to the way we were playing over Christmas, when we were absolutely flying.

“It’s still the same players so we just need to make sure we work hard and get back to how we were playing before.”

Sporting, who were set to play Bolehall Swifts on Tuesday night, go to Southam on Saturday (3pm ko).

Smith has a number of injuries to contend with.

Will Tibbetts is available again after missing the Cadbury game because of work commitments but fellow winger Reece Hewitt is struggling with a persistent ankle problem, which he has been nursing for six weeks.

“Reece’s injury just needs time but every time he gets a knock it swells up again,” added the manager.

Chris Conway is a doubt after turning an ankle but Joe Adams is expected to be out for two or three weeks after damaging his knee ligaments.

The Sporting boss looks set to hand starts to Jozsef Jakab and Lewis Clarke, who has had a spell at Cradley to sharpen his game.

Smith added: “We’ve got a few injuries but we have 20 players and there are several lads banging on the door asking for their chance.”

Sporting also crashed out of the Smedley Charity Cup last Tuesday after losing their clash with Littleton.