ALVECHURCH boss Ross Thorpe was in buoyant mood despite back-to-back Midlands Alliance defeats.

The Lye Meadow side went down 1-0 at home to champions-elect Tividale on Tuesday before a controversial injury-time penalty saw them beaten 2-1 at AFC Wulfrunians.

"In those two games we played as well as we have done since I've been at the club," said Thorpe.

"I was very proud of the lads and they deserved something from the Wulfs game, they were outstanding from one to 11, I can't fault them at all.

"I was disappointed with the penalty, the referee initially gave a free kick then after a delay without consulting his linesman decided to award a penalty.

"We just haven't been getting the breaks of late, I've always said it doesn't matter how good a side you are you need that little bit of look but in the circumstances I think everyone at the club is performing well and that's something to build on.

"But we were very competitive against a team who are most likely going to win the league and another who have been in the top eight all season."

Last night the Churchmen were due to entertain Westfields, on Saturday they are at home to Coventry Sphinx then on Easter Monday go to promotion-chasing Highgate United.

The only absentee will be Jack Cresswell who serves the first game of a four match ban.

"It's a shame because Jack was the best player on the park against Wulfrunians and was beginning to look the player everyone knows he is."