Defensive strongman Paul McMullen and ace striker Tom Ward are both likely to miss today’s UniBond League President’s Cup tie at Leek after hobbling out of this division one south defeat at Sheffield FC.

In his first game since taking over from Simon Line, boss Lee Roberts lost Ward to a crunching tackle on the stroke of half time and had to take McMullen off with a worrying neck injury shortly after the break – departures that were key to this defeat.

“They are very big players for us and to lose both against a team who are now top of the division was crucial,” said Roberts, who was angered by the way Ward suffered a badly cut leg and bruised ankle .

“He was taken out by a really bad tackle as he put in a great cross,” he said.

“To make matters worse, it was on the stroke of half time and he was simply left on the field receiving treatment as the match officials and all the opposition camp just trooped off.

“I don’t think he’s got any real chance of playing at Leek – and McMullen’s very doubtful too. He was worried by a neck problem throughout the first half and it got progressively worse until he had to come off.”

It was an unlucky end to a challenging comeback that had started promisingly for Roberts, picking up the managerial reins he relinquished to Line five years ago.

“Sheffield are obviously an excellent side and playing them away wasn’t the fixture you’d choose to start with,” he admitted.

“That said, I thought we outplayed them for the first 35 minutes and but for the injuries to Ward and McMullen, we looked capable of continuing to do so.

“In the end though, we lost two of our best battlers and were outfought in what was a battling sort of game.”

Town’s early dominance was emphasised by a fourth minute goal from McMullen, rising superbly at the back post to head home in-form Nicky Porter’s corner.

Ward might have added another with a stunning power-header as Town piled on the pressure seeking a second but with the half hour just gone, slack marking at a throw in helped Sheffield climb back into the game, Benjamin Leonard heading in a floating cross.

Losing Ward and then McMullen left Town facing an uphill battle after the break and while Tom Rogers and Keiron Garrett were good subs, Sheffield gradually took control and ground out the points that earned them top spot in the division, with goals from Matty Thorpe and Matthew Otram.