Alvechurch 1

Quorn 1

ALVECHURCH boss Neil Bryan believed his side were denied a sure-fire penalty against Quorn on Saturday.

The home side had taken the lead after just five minutes when Brett Fitzpatrick latched onto the ball inside the box and fired home past the onrushing 'keeper.

Bryan's men continued to surge forward and Bryan was left incensed after Adam Guest was shoved to the ground inside the penalty box.

Ironically, Alvechurch conceded a penalty of their own just before half-time when Ross Knight was adjudged to have handled the ball.

And the Churchmen faced more frustration in the second half when they failed to convert four or five clear-cut chances.

Afterwards, Bryan said: "In my book, we should have had a penalty but I felt that the referee didn't give it because it was too early in the game. As for their penalty, people know that we've got a notorious pitch and the ball just bounced up and caught Ross on the elbow. It was unfortunate but we had no complaints about that."

Overall, Bryan was a happier man than last week when his side lost 2-0 at home to Rushall when Alvechurch were devoid of ideas.

"The pleasing thing about Saturday was that we really had them on the rack for much of the game. Our performance was much better but it was a game we really should have won."

Bryan will hope for better news ahead of his side's trip to Boldmere this Saturday with Ben Kirby (hamstring) and Jamie McWilliams (ankle) both due to see specialists about their respective, niggling injuries.

Club captain Paul Smith is close to being recalled to the starting line-up after making the bench following a spell out with injury. Ray Gardiner, though, is out for three months with a groin strain.

Alvechurch are close to completing a loan deal with neighbours Redditch United for an unnamed centre-half. Callum Gittings is also set to return to the club after being briefly being recalled by United as cover.