BOSS Tony Gore has demanded a big improvement from his Dudley Sports players after seeing his side drop into the bottom two.

Sports lost 3-0 at home to Wednesfield last Tuesday and 6-2 at promotion chasing Tividale on Saturday to leave them in serious danger of relegation from the West Midlands Premier League.

Gore insists his players need to find their battling spirit if they are to beat the drop.

He said: "It's not looking good at the moment and things need to change quickly now.

"We must do better because there is every chance we'll go down unless we improve our football, attitude, work-rate and all the other things that you need to stay up.

"We're supposed to be battling but we're just not doing that. I certainly wouldn't want to be in the trenches with our players at the moment.

"They have to up their game because they owe it to the club, the management and themselves. I've never been relegated and I'm sure the players don't want to be remembered as those who went down.

"Things need to change and I'll also be looking to bring in some fresh faces to help us."

Despite the defeat at Dale, Gore was full of praise for young goalkeeper Ryan Pratt after a brilliant debut display.

Pratt could be called on again this Saturday after getting his chance when regular number one Liam O'Dowd suffered a broken finger against Wednesfield.

He said: "It would have been an even more embarrassing score if it wasn't for him.

"He made four or five outstanding saves and should be very proud of how he did. I certainly have no problems playing him again."

Sports will look for some much-needed points when they welcome Cradley Town to Hillcrest Avenue this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

O'Dowd will miss the clash but hopes to return in the next two weeks. Matt Hanson will be suspended after being sent off for a second bookable offence at Tividale.