Simon Line has urged his Market Drayton team to cut out the defensive lapses after this loss to division one south high-flyers Kidsgrove last night.

Drayton conceded twice in the last seven minutes of the first half to goals from Karl Charlton and David Walker, and when Danny Smith made it three just before the hour, Drayton’s fate was sealed.

The visitors did hit back in the final half hour with sub Mark Grice seeing two efforts disallowed and Duncan Swann-Horler spurning a free header before centre half Paul McMullen did finally breach the home defences with five minutes remaining.

But for Line the stirring second half showing was bitter-sweet, coming after a dismal defensive display in the opening period.

He said: “We’ve done that a few times this season now.

“We’ve conceded two goals just before half time and given ourselves a mountain to climb.

“They were the better side in the first half but we’ve conceded due to ill-disicipline and not taking charge of situations and it keeps costing us.

“The third goal has killed the game off and it came from us having possession on the halfway line.

“Dorryl Profitt has the ball and decides to turn and play it back to the centre half, he then dithers and plays it back to Andy Pryce in goal, who tries to dribble it out and gets caught and we’re three down.”

But Line was keen to point out the positives – which included Drayton’s attacking threat.

“Marc Grice has had two goals disallowed – one for offside which was harsh and one for a foul which was even harsher,” said the Drayton chief.

Line also gave debuts to two new signings – former TNS defender Sean Jones and Crewe loan signing Jason Oswell — as late subs.

“Sean came on for the last 10 minutes at full back and looked very composed,” Line added.

“Jason is a striker we have signed on work experience – we gave him 25 minutes up front and he came on and put himself about well.”

By ALEX JAMES