Telford Titans’ senior players have been ordered to “make the step up” following the side’s disappointing 7-3 defeat to ENL 1 high-fliers Nottingham Lions.

Sunday night’s trip to the National Ice Stadium was marked by a fourth loss of the year to Nottingham, who now look likely to collect the league title.

But having narrowly missed out on a win over Whitley the week before, Titans coach Dave Fielder was hoping for more from his side.

He said: “It was one of our worst performances of the year, which was very disappointing.

“We didn’t play very good hockey at all. There wasn’t a lot of penalties and the discipline didn’t go, but we just couldn’t perform.”

Telford’s goals came from Simon Harrison, who gave his side an early lead, Ashley Stanton and Luke Brittle.

One highlight for Fielder was the performance on his younger players, with under-18 star Ben Hunt in particular playing through the pain barrier until he was substituted in the third period.

“All the kids did well again,” he added.

“Luke Brittle, Dan Harrison and James Warman played well, but they always seem to and it is some of the senior players who need to make the step up.”

Telford have the chance to redeem themselves on Sunday when they make the trip to Blackburn Hawks, and Fielder will want them to put on a show for the fans.

He added: “It was a day when we didn’t perform and I apologised to the fans on the bus, because there was 20 or 30 fans who travelled and it was disappointing.”

By JAMES SHAW