GORNAL Athletic's stuttering start to the season continued with defeat against Team Dudley at Garden Walk.

The Peacocks had got off to a brilliant start when opened the scoring early after a quick breakaway.

Gornal should have doubled the lead when ex college student Liam Hickham managed to get onto a flick on but fired a low drive wide of the near post.

It was a lacklustre start from a Team Dudley side that needed a bit of energy in their game.

Craig Edwards gave that energy on 24 minutes when finding a leveller. Myles Nettleford got on the ball, turned and ran at Gornal, he played it off to Edwards who cut inside and saw his effort deflected into the corner.

Seven minutes later it was 2-1, Edwards again struck with probably the best move of the game. Vlad Lungu cut inside and played an inch perfect pass to Edwards who rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Gornal were still posing a threat, however, keeping three players high and wide on the Dudley backline but the score remained unchanged at the break.

The second half began with Dudley well off the pace as Gornal started the better again.

Dudley were penned back into their own half and really struggling against a high press but managing to limit the hosts to few clear cut opportunities.

The game was sealed with nine minutes to go as Chris Knight got on the scoresheet. Lungu provided his second assist of the game with the winger winning the ball and playing it into the space for Knight to run onto. He took a touch, steadied himself and rolled it under the Gornal keeper.

That took the wind out of the sails for Gornal who allowed Dudley to keep the ball and see out the game. The win sees the club leap four places up to second in West Midlands League Division One ahead of this Saturday's clash at home against Kington.

Gornal, meanwhile, are 13th and without a win so far this season. They will look to hit back at Willenhall Town this Saturday.