Alvechurch 0-2 Nuneaton Borough

Ian Long's first game back as Alvechurch manager ended in defeat to Nuneaton Borough.

There was a buzz around Lye Meadow about the return of Long and his coaching team of Richard Colwell and Billy Walwyn and Church looked for a fast start; with Dominic Brown-Hill forcing Borough keeper Tyrell Belford into an easy save.

Borough then had the best chance of the half when former Church midfielder Jordan Goddard raced clear of goal, but he was denied by a good save from Matthew Sargeant. Brown-Hill then fired over the crossbar for Church as a very even first half ended goalless.

In the second half Borough took the lead after 56 minutes. In what has been one of the stories of Church's season, they failed to deal with a corner and Jamie Hood stabbed the ball into the net.

Belford was then on hand to deny a Linden Dovey long range strike; before superbly keeping out Mitch Botfield's header from point blank range. Church was then dealt a blow when defender Joe Hull was sent off for an off the ball altercation and, after a strong run by Callum Powell, Luke Benbow converted a late penalty to seal the win for the visitors.

The defeat means that Church remain nine points from safety and Long will know that his side will have to improve massively when they welcome Rushall Olympic to Lye Meadow next Saturday.