MUCH depleted Alcester Town lost interest in this season's Challenge Vase when beaten 3-0 by table toppers NKF Burbage.
Great goalkeeping from Richard Layton kept Burbage at bay for long periods and restricted the leaders to a slender 1-0 lead at the break.
Although Alcester continued to battle, they couldn't prevent further Burbage goals with Jess Adcock, Alex Coultas and Jack Whitehurst all hitting the target.
Alcester player-manager Danny Janes admitted his side were four or five players short on quality but hailed the performance of Richard Layton and said: "He kept us in the game at times and I thought his overall performance was outstanding."
Alcester only have three more Midland League Division Three matches remaining starting with a home game against Enville Athletic this Saturday and Janes added: "We really cannot afford to drop anymore points if we want to finish in the top six."
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