DESPITE Bromsgrove scoring the first two tries of the game and racing into a 12-point lead, strong forward play from the hosts Luctonians ultimately consigned Dean Ball's men to their fourth consecutive defeat of the Midlands One campaign.

Now Boars coach Dean Ball is calling on his troups to dig deep and grind out a victory from their next league game - at home to Walsall a week on Saturday. A victory that he believes could kick start his sides faltering season.

"We have made a lot of progress in recent weeks and our last game against Luctonians was a big improvement," Ball told The Advertiser/Messenger this week.

"Also we have got an extra week off to prepare for our next game."

There were impressive signs for the Boars in the opening stages on Saturday as they really took the game to Luctonians, who are currently sixth in the table having played just three games, and before long the visitors' dominant start was rewarded with points on the board.

Full back Richard Stockholm was on hand to touch down for Bromsgrove and open the scoring, crossing over following a well worked three-quarters move. The conversion was added to this score and before long Bromsgrove found themselves 12-0 to the good. This time it was centre James Hall who got his name on the scoresheet.

But, as the half wore on, Luctonains' forward dominance came to the fore and they managed to restore parity with tries from rolling mauls - one of which came from Bromsgrove's own 22-metre line.

With the scores tied at 12-12 at half time, it was the home side who started the second half as the brighter of the two teams and they soon took the lead for the first time in the contest.

However, the crucial fact - so it turned out to be - was that Luctonians managed to convert their third try to take the scores to 19-12, leaving the Boars needing a converted try to get back level.

But Ball's men showed good strength of character and never-say-die spirit as they carried on battling throughout the half.

Then, with just five minutes remaining, they got a reward for their persistance. The ball was moved out wide to Frankie Hales on the wing and he chipped the ball over the last man, gathered his own kick and touched down in the corner to bring Bromsgrove to within two points of their opponents with precious little time left to go.

Unfortunately because Hales scored in the corner, the resulting kick at goal was right on the touchline and it was missed.

The Luctonians players let out a collective sigh of relief as the ball missed its intended target and they were able to regroup and close out the game 19 points to 17 in their favour.

Due to Bedford having a cup match on Saturday, Bromsgrove are without a fixture this weekend.

However, Ball is planning tomake the most of the time off by taking his squad on a team buildinexercise kayaking at Symonds Yat.