A HALF-TIME lead was thrown away as Kidderminster Carolians comprehensively lost the battle of the top two in Midlands Three West North.

Injury-hit KCs, at home to unbeaten Aston Old Edwardians, led 16-6 by the interval but finished up losing 32-21.

The Wyre Forest side were without two second-row men and their most experienced centre but a second-half sending-off helped turn the tide.

Skipper Eddie Ross, himself out injured, admitted: "We had a good first half with plenty of commitment but the second half was a different game.

"Aston's early try in the second half built up their hopes and they never gave up. It is always a good hard game against Aston and this was no exception.

"Both sides had players missing but I honestly believe the loss of our two regular second-row forwards was a big burden.

"We did find it hard when we went down to 14 men but that is life. There is a long way to go and we are still second in the table."

KCs surprisingly put their injury troubles behind them to play extremely well in a pulsating first half.

Full back James Lloyd Jones went over on the left for an unconverted try from a good pass following a five-yard scrum on five minutes.

KCs looked the sharper of the two though Nick Langford pulled three points back for Aston with a 12th-minute penalty.

But KCs went 10-3 up following a good try by winger Ambrogio Neri on 20 minutes and Lloyd Jones kicked two long penalties to make it 16-6 at the break.

Lloyd Jones took the kicking duties from off-form Andy Stooksbury, while Langford replied with a second Aston penalty.

The visitors bounced back with a converted Mark Young try within six minutes of the second period.

Lloyd Jones was short with a penalty and the KCs sending-off tipped the balance.

Aston scored three tries in the space of five minutes through a double from lock Glen Eager and one by scrum-half Alan Mitchell with two converted by Langford.

KCs tried hard at 32-16 but in vain as just a consolation injury-time try from Matt Poole boosted them in a disappointing defeat.

KCs 2nds 14 Aston 22

Trailing 12-0 at half-time, the seconds hit back with tries from Barry Turner and Matt Andrews.

Iain Crockett converted both but Aston added a try and penalty, while KCs lost Matt Greene and Darren Carthew through injury.

KCs 3rds 15 Aston 18

The improving thirds were only denied by a late converted try and penalty after skipper Chris Smith and Phil Mees went over the line.

Spencer Crockett converted one and also kicked a penalty.

Fixtures, Saturday: KCs 1sts v Shrewsbury (North Midlands Cup), 2nds v Dudley-Kingswinford Scorpions, Dudley-Kingswinford Scorpions v 3rds (all 3pm).