STRATFORD'S Midland Alliance championship dream has turned into a nightmare for Lennie Derby, writes Mervyn Collins.

However, the Masons Road manager refuses to throw in the towel but admits his side's chances of overhauling the top two are remote.

"We have to go out and win the final three games and that will mean that we finish in third place at the worst," Derby admitted.

"If we can lose two matches then so can but I really can't see it happening. If we just give up then there would be no point to the other nine months of the season."

Saturday's third home defeat in four outings leaves Stourbridge and Bromsgrove to battle it out for the title and Town followers wondering just how it has all gone sadly wrong in the past fortnight.

"It was the same old story," lamented Derby. "We missed chances and conceded two soft goals through weak defending.

"We've just fallen apart in the final quarter of the season. It's down to individuals and they have go to take a good look at themselves. Strength of character is vital and, as a team, we just don't have that.

"I can see the reasons why it has happened and I have made mistakes myself. It gets harder each season but I believe that what I am doing is right.

"The squad of players is probably the most talented in the league but some of them are not mentally tough and that is what has cost us."

Derby revealed that his side's decline - five wins from the last 12 matches - tells the whole sorry tale of torture but the manager vowed to carry on.

"I know what we need but at this stage it would be unfair to pick out players for next season. We weren't giving goals away at the start of the season and that is the key to success in this league."

That success is likely to elude the likeable Derby this term but he will be determined to see his charges collect maximum points at Oldbury on Saturday and Pelsall next Tuesday in the hope that the top two slip up and leave Stratford a little sniff of a chance at home to Halesowen for the final game on April 27.

P W D L F A Pts

Stourbridge 38 25 6 7 73 36 81

Bromsgrove 39 24 8 7 91 43 80

Stratford 39 23 7 9 77 43 76

Wednesfield 39 22 8 9 68 38 74

Oadby 40 20 11 9 76 61 71

Quorn 40 20 9 11 76 54 69