FUMING Dudley Sports joint boss Tony Gore has hit out at rivals Cradley Town following the transfer of Yakubu Nani.

The striker swapped High Ercal Avenue for Beeches View last Wednesday on the last possible day he could have moved before the expiry of Cradley’s seven day approach.

Gore is disappointed at losing a quality player and also the way the transfer was carried out, with Hammers boss Steve Daniels making a last-ditch call at the players home.

Gore said: “He was going to stay with us up until 12pm on Wednesday when the 21 days were up but then changed his mind.

“I’m disappointed with the way it was done but that is how they go about their business.

“It has left a sour taste but we just have to get on with things now.”

For 70 minutes on Saturday it looked like Gore’s bad mood would be blown away as Sports raced into a 2-0 lead at high-flying Bustleholme, courtesy of Kevin Vogeli’s brace.

But Sports, who were playing their first game since November 24, tired badly in the closing quarter and eventually went down to a 4-2 defeat.

Nevertheless, Gore was encouraged by the character his side showed.

He added: “For 70 minutes it looked like we would be getting a fantastic result.

“I think in the end it was a case of tiredness as we have not played for such a long time.

“They looked like they had played four pre-season games while we were playing our first one.

“At 2-0 it was a case of hanging on but we had nothing left in the tank.

“They have only lost two games all season and we will be looking to get a win against Stafford Town this weekend.

“In many ways it was just nice to be back and playing again.”