BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown warned his players to forget promotion this season if they produce a repeat of Saturday's dreadful performance against Sutton.

Brown admitted he was left 'disgusted' by his side's suicidal defending during Saturday's 6-3 loss to Sutton Coldfield.

He also warned that he expects a big improvement for Saturday, February 18's, game away at Cinderford in the Southern League Division One West.

He said: "I'm a winner and I only want players here hungry to win.

"If a player thinks they've got it easy because we're nice to them here they should go somewhere else.

"The Sutton performance was such a long way off what is needed for promotion that we cannot talk about that anymore.

"All we can do is concentrate on winning our next league game."

Brown and the home fans were left fuming by an error-strewn performance, which allowed Sutton Coldfield to run riot.

The manager said: "I was disgusted by the result and performance.

"I can't express how utterly disappointed and embarrassed about it I am. I can only apologise to the fans.

"The players have let themselves, the club and most importantly the supporters down.

"The defending was schoolboy and every player, apart from the two strikers, played badly. Before the match I thought we were going to win the game because we had two useful strikers and been solid recently.

"We looked good in the first few minutes and took the lead, but when they scored something changed in us.

"What's most disappointing is that I have been talking about defending properly and keeping things tight for the last two weeks.

"We were moving in the right direction and then we go and produce a performance like that.

"I think we'll have to say the Sutton result was a blip and try and concentrate on winning our next game."

Brown was pleased with the debut of striker Luke Reynolds, who signed from Oldbury United last week, and the form of Neil Davis.

Davis scored a hat trick and looked comfortable with Reynolds.

"I was pleased for Luke. He's stepped up a level and hit if off with Neil Davis.

"Neil is a quality player but he's been plagued by injuries through his whole career. If we can keep him fit for three of four games then we will see the best of him."

The Rovers manager pleaded with the fans to get behind the team.

He said: "I've never been at a club where the home fans jump on the team's back so quickly. Sometimes the fans need to give the players some support even if they aren't playing well.

"I've no complaints about the criticism we got for Saturday's performance because we were woeful. Fans pay their money and have a right to criticise.

"The Victoria Ground is very quiet and the fans are more likely get on their own team's back. It doesn't help in motivating the players.

"Rovers have easily the biggest crowd in the league. Away teams should be terrified of coming here but instead they enjoy it, because the home support get on their team's back if they don't play well."

By Peter McKinney