HEADLESS Cross Ladies improved after last weekend's battering but suffered the same result after going down by the single goal to Rae Valley.

Valley made the most of the blustery conditions as they put the Cross defence under pressure for long periods and scored the decisive goal shortly before half-time after a good cross picked out a Valley forward to slot home.

Cross pushed hard to get back with Alison Wayley and Jade Craddock going close.

After the break Teresa Boddington saw her header acrobatically saved by the Valley keeper.

Headless Cross manager Rob Auld said: "We did play a lot better this week and our second half performance deserved at least an equaliser if not more."

Cross travel to Solihull Glades on Sunday.

n Headless Cross Ladies Reserves played mid-table Phoenix Hereford in search of more points and came away with a goalless draw.

Cross had umpteenth chances to take the lead but couldn't find the end product.

Reserves manager Mandy Hill said: "We had the majority of the chances but just could not find our finishing touches today.

"The team is settling down now and are playing positive flowing football, we just need to learn to put our opportunities away when we get them."

Assistant manager Mick Staniland will be in control of the reserves for the next few weeks and will be starting his tenure as the reserves play Malvern at the Abbey Stadium on Sunday (KO 2pm).