STRAIGHT-talking Steve Riley gave an honest assessment of his team’s failings after Bashley’s formidable home record was shattered.

Unbeaten at the Recreation Ground for more than 11 months, Bashley’s fortress was well and truly conquered by Hednesford Town.

Two goals from Tyrone Barnett and one apiece for Elliott Durrell and Ben Bailey saw the Pitmen shock Bash in front of their own fans.

The defeat ruined the New Foresters’ perfect home Southern League record and delivered a harsh reality check to the promotion chasers.

Boss Riley, who has been delighted with his impressive team for much of the campaign, pulled no punches by admitting too many of his stars had fallen short of the high standards set previously.

Riley said: “You can get away with two or three below par performances, but everyone was gutted at not being at the races.

“We got punished for it and we need to knuckle down and get over it.

“You never mean to play like that. I’ve been around long enough to know that you can have a bad day at the office.

“We know the league is a strong league. It makes you realise that you have got to perform in every game and, to get a positive result, you’ve got to be at your best.

“You can get away with two or three players maybe not having their best games. But if one player is having an off-day, the player next to him needs to help him.

“Too many on Saturday weren’t on their game and the team suffered for that.”

Despite producing a poor performance, things could have turned out differently if luck had been on Bashley’s side.

In a lively first half, both Justin Keeler and Dave Allen hit the woodwork, while the hosts also had penalty appeals waved away.

The result leaves Bash third in the Premier Division, just three points adrift of leaders Farnborough.

“It’s great to be in the position we’re in and I’d have taken that at the start of the season,” added Riley.

“It’s not all doom and gloom. We need to get over it now. We’re not going to sulk – it’s happened and we just have to move on.”

Bashley: Elm, Hill, Ferrett, Middleton, Parnell, Keeler (Tarr, 65), Kelly, Mason (McCarthy, 76), Allen, Gamble, Knight. Unused subs: Gazzard, Prodomo, Riley