ALVECHURCH suffered their first competitive defeat of the season to tumble out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle on Saturday.

The much-hyped visit of title favourites Rugby Town ended in disappointment for the hosts who were beaten 3-0 on their own patch in a match which does not bode well for Alvechurch's own title ambitions.

Results went against Church with Coventry Marconi, Bolehall Swifts and Highgate United all winning in the league to climb above Alvechurch, who dropped to sixth in the ICIS Combination Premier Division table.

Church have the chance to make up some ground at Coventry Marconi tonight (Wednesday, ko 7.45pm) and hope to welcome back midfielder Ross Knight, an eleventh hour absentee with gastro-enteritis on Saturday.

Alvechurch have games in hand on all their rivals with only early leaders Leamington out of reach at the moment.

Hibbert paid tribute to veteran defender Ray Clarke, whose first team chances have been limited this season.

Clarke could get his chance at Continental Star in the second round of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup on Saturday (ko 2.45pm) and Hibbert is expected to give his fringe players a chance at home to Handrahan Timbers next Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).

It will be the first of two visits from Timbers in four days with a league fixture the following Saturday.