Thackley’s two midweek Toolstation Northern Counties East League defeats left them hovering around the halfway point in the Premier Division – which has stunned everyone at Dennyfield following a bright start to the campaign.

The club began very well under new joint-managers Lee Clapham and Dave Morgan, the latter back for a second spell, and were one of the early pace-setters in the promotion race.

But the season is petering out and they also lost their grip on the League Cup after winning the trophy for the last two seasons.

Spokesman Mick Lodge said: “It’s going to be difficult when you are playing two midweek games in the same week and, after we lost to Albion Sports on Tuesday, I didn’t really expect anything from last night’s game.”

Thackley lost 3-0 at home to Worksop Parramore just two days after going down 2-1 to neighbours Albion.

“Lee gave a list of players he had missing on Thursday night to one of our committeemen and it was as long as your arm,” said Lodge.

“We had some players on the bench on Thursday who were untested. They had never been in the first-team squad before.

“One talking point was the sending off (Lewis Morgan got a red card in the 75th minute) but that didn’t affect the game. We were already 3-0 down.

“Lewis retaliated by shoving an opponent after he felt he had been elbowed but the referee only saw Lewis’ push.

“I suppose you could say that was unlucky but he still shouldn’t have done what he did. But in the heat of the moment, things happen.”