Arran Duke says his Wisbech St Mary men never recovered from being reduced to 10 men after they slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Leiston Reserves last weekend.

Ricky Bowden received two yellow cards in the first half as the Saints were sent to their first Thurlow Nunn First Division defeat since the opening day of the season.

“It was a bad day at the office,” Duke said.

“We never recovered from Ricky’s early second yellow and we were comfortably beaten.

“The lads know they didn’t reach the levels expected of them and they have to be better. After three wins it brought us back down with a bump and a reaction is needed.”

The villagers will look to get that reaction this weekend when they welcome Cornard United to the ABC Quality Meats Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

“We’ve got six players returning so that will be a big boost,” Duke added.

“Having those players missing was difficult last week but was no excuse for the performance from the lads. They know they must be better.”