FOUR points now separate Kidderminster Carolians and the Midlands Three West (North) joint leaders after a shock 18-9 home defeat to Willenhall.

With trips to Shrewsbury and Burton plus a home clash with Lichfield left, KCs face an uphill struggle to win the league or even make the play-offs.

Aston Old Edwardians and Stoke are the favourites now as the Marlpool Lane men succumbed to second-from-bottom Willenhall on Saturday.

The visitors, despite winning just three out of 14 matches, worked tirelessly and looked the better balanced off the two sides.

But KCs, without Andy Stooksbury at stand-off, went ahead through James Lloyd Jones' penalty on only two minutes.

They appeared to lack any direction though, while Willenhall's Ian Harris was responsible for 13 of his side's points.

Following on from their early penalty, KCs almost scored when full-back Richard Wakefield came in on the end of a move.

Only a last-ditch tackle by Ambro Neri prevented a certain Willenhall try before Lloyd Jones kicked a second three-pointer on 15 minutes.

But the writing was on the wall just two minutes later when Willenhall's Neil Orme found little in his way when he went over to score a try.

Harris stepped up and converted to put them in the lead at 7-6.

Both sides missed penalties and the score remained the same at half-time.

Within four minutes of the re-start, KCs regained the lead with a simple penalty from Lloyd Jones.

Despite their forwards having plenty of possession, they invariably lost it and poor handling made progress difficult.

Harris put Willenhall 10-9 ahead with a 40-yard penalty on 56 minutes and seven minutes later scored an unconverted try to make it 15-9.

He settled the game by kicking his second penalty later in the game.

KCs looked a pale shadow of the team that had destroyed Wednesbury by running the ball the previous week.

They head to Ledbury on Saturday for a friendly, looking to avenge a 32-25 Powergen Trophy defeat in September.

KCs 2nds 40 Bromsgrove 3rds 17

The seconds completed their third double and 10th win to continue to lead the Merit Table.

KCs' tries came from Iain Crockett (two), Matt Greene (two), Russell Slater and Jon Shires.

Hard work by the forwards gave scrum-half Mark James a good platform to work from and the tries flowed.

Tom Oakes was in good form, kicking five of the six conversions.

Skipper Rob Preston impressed but it was an all-round team effort that kept them top with four matches left.

Willenhall 11 KCs 3rds 12

KCs started confidently and opened the scoring early on through debutant Randall Stoneley's break-away try.

Tim Lohoff converted but Willenhall pulled the scores back to 7-5 by half-time through a try.

The second period continued to be competitive for two well-matched sides though windy conditions made kicking tricky.

A handling error by Willenhall was punished when Matthew Woodward broke free through the centre to cross the line.

Willenhall replied with two penalties but skipper Rich Bishop ensured the win with a last-gasp try-saving tackle.

Fixtures, Saturday: Ledbury v KCs 1sts, 2nds v Ledbury, 3rds v Chaddesley (all 2.30pm).