BLACKROCK Rovers slumped into the bottom two in Division 2 after a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of RTB Ebbw Vale.

Manager Paul Lovell said: "My players need to man up and step up to the challenge.

"It was not a good performance. We had too many key players injured or not available through work commitments.

"We were poor all over the pitch, couldn't string any passes together and the weaker players were happy to hide."

In Division 3, Caldicot Castle enjoyed a 5-3 victory at Rhymney to restore some confidence after last week's defeat at Nantyglo.

"We were missing several players but all those who played really stepped up to the plate," said delighted Castle manager Dave Adamson.

"We went behind against the run of play, then equalised with a classy Joe O'Brien lob, went 2-1 up with a Richard Beach penalty after James McKeon was fouled in the box but Rhymney equalised before half time.

In the second half, veteran Paul Harris replaced Beach and, along with McKeon and O'Brien, he proved a real handful for their defence.

Rockfield Rovers went down 5-3 at Ponthir whose goals came from Jack Thomas (2), Jon Palmer, Adam Jones and Ross Irvine.

Captain Gareth Davies said both teams tried to play well in tough conditions.

"We missed a fair few chances and the three goals we conceded were a result of sloppy defending.

"But that makes it one defeat in our last 11 games so we are steadily climbing the table."

Thornwell Red & White lost 3-1 at home to high-flying Neuadd Wen in a game which manager Steve Bidmead said his men were "out-muscled".

"We didn't create any chances other than our goal which was scored by Rory Garey. They took their chances well and we didn't