NORTHWICH Victoria’s poor run of league results continued this week ahead of two big challenges in four days.

Vics, fourth from bottom of the Midland League Premier Division six points clear of the relegation zone, lost 2-0 at home to in-form Dudley Town on Tuesday, backing up a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Casuals at Barton Stadium, Winsford, at the weekend.

To make matters worse, skipper Matty Clarke was sent off, after being shown a second yellow card for dissent, after he felt there had been a foul before Dudley scored their killer second goal in the 68th minute.

Six more yellow cards were flashed through the game, including one for The Trickies manager Steve Pickup, who was left frustrated after the Wolverhampton game through the number of missed chances created by his side.

There were opportunities on Tuesday as well, with Clarke having a couple of long-range shots go narrowly wide and Marcus Perry getting half a chance at the back post but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Niall Sultan was not quite able to stretch enough to turn home a brilliant cross by Marcus Perry, who, a little later, touched a Clarke pass past the visiting keeper but a defender cleared the ball off the line.

Even in added time Dylan Switters fired narrowly wide after a quick turn, and Callum Parker, two yards out, smashed his shot over the crossbar.

So the goals in the 14th and 68th minutes sealed all three points for a Dudley side who have now gone eight games without defeat.

The first goal came from a fantastic header at the back post from a whipped-in cross, while the second came on a counter-attack with a looping finish over goalkeeper Adam Reid.

Vics, who are now in a sequence of eight league games without a win and have not won away from home in the league all season, visit second-place Lichfield City on Saturday and then head to fourth-placed Highgate United on Tuesday.

The Trickies are staging a meet-the-manager night at the Barton Stadium tomorrow, Friday, at 7.30pm. Entry is free.

This season’s performance and plans for the next campaign will be on the agenda.