PERSHORE Town's miserable start to 2024 continued on Saturday as they suffered a seventh defeat in a row in all competitions as 10-man Cinderford Town claimed a 2-1 victory in the Hellenic Premier.

Lewis Marston's side were in the play-off places at the end of 2023 when they closed out the year with three consecutive league games, but since then, it has been defeat after defeat for The Plums.

Losses to Corsham Town and Fairford Town in January were backed-up by heavy cup defeats to Worcester City and Brimscombe & Thrupp before three home league losses in a row to Mangotsfield United, Tuffley Rovers and now Cinderford on Saturday has all but ended their play-off ambitions.

Two goals in a couple of minutes before the half-hour from Adam Davies and Kerry Morgan gave the away side a 2-0 lead but a red card for Dan Barnard gave the hosts some hope before the break.

Josh Willis pulled one back half-way through the second-half but Pershore were not able to build on it and some resolute defending from Cinderford saw them hold on for the three points.