STUDLEY paid the price for missing a host of players as they crashed out of the FA Vase by losing 3-2 to Gornal Athletic on Saturday.

The Bees had looked on course to progress into the Second Round and were leading 2-0 thanks to Josh McKenzie’s brace.

But with only one rookie player on the bench, manager Adrian Mander was able to shuffle his pack as their opponents from the Black Country changed to a more direct approach.

Centre back Ross Love bagged a quickfire brace before Tim Piggot stunned Studley by bagging an 85th minute winner.

Mander said: “Unfortunately, we were without five players and were forced to play square pegs in rounds holes.

“We only had one young lad on the bench so when Gornal played more directly we could not really make a change and the players were dead on their feet. I was disappointed that heads dropped so quickly as soon the first goal went in. It was like the players accepted defeat, which was disappointing.”

The Bees will welcome back the cup-tied Toby Checketts as well as Stefan Abonandi and Michael Murray, while Rico Taylor still has two games of a three-match ban to serve.

Studley entertain big-spending AFC Hinckley at home on Saturday (3pm ko), a side who have struggled despite the expectation they were among the favourites to win the league.

Mander added: “Hinckley have a very good squad and manager and while they have yet to fire I wouldn’t put it past them to put a good run together.

“Luckily we have a lot of our missing players back so I am hoping we can bounce back.”