SKIPPER Perry Derrick admits Redditch's players need to step up after suffering another defeat in the Worcestershire County League Division One.

The Kingfishers were edged out by two wickets by Belbroughton in a match the captain felt his side could have won.

Redditch have endured a testing season with four of their eight games rained off, the worst record in the division.

To make matters worse, they have lost the four matches they have played.

On Saturday, Derrick won the toss and elected to bat but they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Jack Roberson top scored with 35 runs, while Francois Mostert chipped in with 27 late on as they reached 176 all out in the 47th over.

Mark Bateman (3-33), Christian Gattemayr (2-44) and Andrew Perry (2-33) were the Belbroughton's best bowlers.

Redditch's bowling attack set about their opponents with gusto but they were left to rue Tom Oliver being dropped twice. The Tons batsman went onto score 58 runs off 100 balls and provided the match-winning innings.

Mostert took five wickets for 59 runs and Thomas Phelan, Derrick and Waqas Ali took one each but Belbroughton had made 177-8.

Derrick said: "I think we fell short runs-wise, if we had scored 20 or 30 more then I think we would have won the game.

"We also kept them down but unfortunately we dropped their best batsmen twice.

"The first time he had scored 30 runs so it was a key moment.

"You know the old saying 'catches win matches' and it applied here.

Bottom of the table Redditch now face an important clash at fellow strugglers Bomyard on Saturday (1pm start) who have a very similar record.

Chris Weaver is still absent, while Gregg Chinn also missed out.

"When you're down at the bottom of the table, nothing goes your way but it's time for us to step up."