BROMSGROVE are still seeking a winning formula in National 3 South West after suffering a slender 20-15 reverse against Bristol based Dings Crusaders.

Head coach Dan Protherough bemoaned: "We're improving and we had all of the ball in the first quarter but ended up with only three points to show for it.

"Dings then went and scored a try with their first attack. We had a great deal of heavy pressure but just weren't clinical enough and couldn't cross the white line."

All of Bromsgrove's points came from the boot of Jon Critchlow who kicked five penalties after starting the game at full back and then switching to fly half after the interval.

Bromsgrove travel to take on Weston super Mare side Hornets this Saturday hoping to supply a string in the tail.

Protherough will be without flanker Jake Haden-Wright who dislocated his thumb against Dings while Nick Empson has damaged his calf muscle.

Bromsgrove's task hasn't been made any easier after they were docked five points by the RFU following an administration error in regard to petrol receipts.

Protherough has been less than impressed with the ruling and insisted: "It's another kick in the teeth for the club. They move us into a division that we didn't want to go into and now they deduct five points over something really petty to say the least.

"We are talking about nothing more than minor pin money that involved the whole squad. It all boiled down to getting the right receipts of everyone, which can be a nightmare at times and yet we've been punished for it.

"However, we cannot afford to lose any sleep over it. It's one win, but because we haven't won a game yet, the league table still reads minus four points which is something we hope to put right quickly."