STOURBRIDGE'S promotion hopes suffered a major setback when they lost away to Eastnor last Saturday.

The seven wicket defeat may well have nudged Stour out of the promotion race in Division Two of the Birmingham and District League with just two matches of the season remaining.

They were bundled out for just 54 in the 34th over after stand-in skipper Alex Bingham lost the toss and was asked to bat first.

Before the match, Stour were well placed in third and just ten points behind second-placed Attock. However, the loss has now pushed them down to fifth with time running out.

“Such a poor performance against a team lower down the division was inexplicable. A lack of application on a tricky pitch contributed to the worst performance of the season," said Harilal Jivan-Patel.

Spinner Jaffer Khalid all but destroyed Stour’s hopes of promotion taking four wickets for one run off his four over spell.

Lack of resistance produced Stour’s lowest total of the season.

The home side lost three wickets in chasing the Stour total but Dave Waters (27 not out), batting at number four, saw his side to an easy victory in the 12th over to keep his side well away from drop zone.

The defeat means Stour stay on 217 points as Old Elizabethans move to forth on 224 points, Attock are down to third on 232 points and Penkridge return to the second spot on 241 points. Leamington Spa will take the Division Two title on 306 points, but the coveted second spot is still up for grabs.

Stour will meet Whitchurch and Tamworth over the next two weeks from which they must achieve a maximum of 40 points to stay in the race.