MANAGER John Hill spoke of both his pride and frustration after Halesowen's derby defeat against Stourbridge.

Luke Benbow's first half header was enough to hand the Glassboys the bragging rights in front of 2,127 packed into the Grove on Tuesday night.

The striker bagged his 30th goal of the season as the Yeltz couldn't secure an important three points towards their aim of staying away from from the Northern Premier League dropzone.

Hales fought back well in the second half but couldn't force an equaliser. Lee Chilton passed up their best opportunity on 65 minutes as he rattled the cross bar from close range when it looked easier to score.

Hill said: "It's very frustrating and disappointing.

"We knew exactly their formation and their team and we wanted to try and contain them early on and surprise them a bit later with a slight change in formation.

"I thought it paid dividends second half and we were really unlucky. On another day Lee Chilton's effort, which hit the underside of the bar, goes in.

"It's a massive moment and depending on what end of the table you are they go in or they don't. If you're Stourbridge they go in, if you're Halesowen they don't. You're down the wrong end of the table and you don't get that slice of luck you need."

It didn't take long for Stour to get on top with their main threat coming from Tom Tonks' balls into the danger zone.

The first chance for the visitors arrived on five minutes when a Tonks long throw, so often seen down at the Grove before the midfielder's move between these rivals, was met by the head of defender Dan Preston.

He headed wide of the target but it was a warning sign the home defence didn't heed.

Just three minutes later the Glassboys were ahead.

This time it was forward Benbow escaping his marker as Tonks swung over a corner from the right. He met it six yards out and looped a header over the despairing Dan Platt.

Stour never really built on the opener though and Hales managed to stay in a scrappy contest.

Nathan Walker saw a shot blocked on 15 minutes before Brad Lewis' headed into the arms of Gould on 25 minutes following Chilton's ball in.

It was the home side that came out with purpose in the second half as new signing Andre Johnson replaced Walker to give more support to Tristian Dunkley.

The key chance for the Yeltz arrived after the hour mark as a long throw from Liam Slade found its way to Chilton at the far post. He slid in to convert but could only lift his chance against the bar.

Dunkley drilled wide moments later as Stour looked rattled.

But, after weathering the storm, the visitors settled down and worked a few openings of their own in the closing stages.

Hill added: "I'm immensely proud of the lads on that second half performance but I'm just really disappointed that we have given Luke Benbow, the league's leading goalscorer and arguably one of the best players in the league, a free goal really.

"At set plays it's something we work on but we've given him a free run at goal. It's scandalous really but we picked ourselves up and I'm really pleased with how we finished the game.

"We have to try and carry that second half performance into the weekend now. We have got to get some points on board sooner than later. We can't be talking about good performance without points and Saturday we have to put all our efforts and focus into that."

The Yeltz will welcome Spennymoor to the Grove this Saturday (3pm kick-off).