NEW boss Martin Stephens could not inspire an Archdales 73 recovery as they went down 3-1 at Northfield Town in the President's Cup semi-final first leg.
Dales, struggling in Midland Combination Division One, now have a mountain to climb for the second leg at Claines Lane.
They started well but fell behind from a goalmouth scramble with the visitors claiming a foul on Ashley Banner earlier in the move.
Dales levelled through top-scorer Lee Seldon as his 20-yard effort took a deflection and wrong-footed the keeper.
The Worcester side had chances but Seldon and Jason Beck missed with headers.
Stephens praised his team's efforts in the first-half but all their hard work seemed to come to nothing.
Northfield punished the visitors by taking the lead and again Dales claimed fouls on two players in the process.
A late third goal has left Dales with a tough task for the return match on March 1.
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