Alvechurch 1 Fernhill County Sports 2

ALVECHURCH'S league blip continued after a dismal display against mid-table opponents.

The Churchmen could have gone top but a goal either side of the interval from Fernhill hitman Carl Fairhurst put the game beyond reach.

To add to Church's woes, skipper Paul Smith was carried off on the hour following a crunching tackle with Gareth McCarthy.

But by then Church were a goal down to former Feckenham striker Fairhurst who lobbed keeper Andy Harper from an offside looking position as the home defence stood like statues waiting for a flag.

In a much improved second half Andy Hibbert's side created more but, unusually, lacked a cutting edge.

Liam O'Shea should have scored on 60 minutes but elected to pass - badly - to Keith Rostill.

Poor marking allowed Fairhurst to hit his second a minute from time.

Church stook at it and Rostill scored from the spot after sub Ray Gardiner had been upended in the area but it was too little, too late.