ALVECHURCH lost interest in this season's FA Trophy competition after being eclipsed 5-1 by higher ranked Coalville at Lye Meadow.

Trailing 2-0 at half time, the Church were handed a lifeline back into the game after Coalville were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

Central defender Jamie Willetts clawed a goal back and at 2-1, Church boss Ian Long said: "I thought there was only going to be one winner - and that was us.

"But we conceded a third goal when Coalville scored from almost the half way line and that knocked the stuffing out of us."

Coalville's Danny Creaney then went onto complete his hat-trick while Tom McLinchey added to his opening goal with a fifth on 90 minutes.

A philosophical Long added: "On paper, it looks a bad defeat, but it truth there wasn't much to choose between the sides. Once they went down to 10 men, we laid siege to their goal.

"Their third goal came completely against the run of play and from that point we went a bit gung-ho trying to get back in the game, but got caught out.

"There's not much more I can say about the game, it's gone now and we have to start concentrating on the league, where we're in a very strong position."

Long will be looking to boost his ranks this week as the Church have chalked up a string of injuries.

Key marksman Josh March missed the Coalville game with a groin strain while Nathan Waite was also ruled out with hamstring trouble.

Luke Yates remains sidelined with a rib injury while Chris Whittingham picked up another injury on his comeback while playing for the reserves.

Matters were made worse when central defender Alex Dallinson had to come off in the first half when suffering from the effects of shingles.

Long said: "Alex insisted he was ok to play, but once the game got going, he complained of feeling tired and unwell.

"I will try and get some new faces in but it might not be in time for Saturday's home game against Sheffield FC."