National League Division 2 North: Dudley Kingswinford 0, Preston Grasshoppers 32

DISMAL Dudley Kingswinford again failed to register a single point as they slumped to their 26th defeat of the season, writes Nick Pullen.

The DK's are now in severe danger of going through the entire season without a win to their name with just four games remaining.

They began brightly against Preston and looked on top in the pack as they trapped the visitors inside their own half for the opening 20 minutes.

But they couldn't turn pressure into points, not even when presented with a straightforward penalty shot, fly half Gareth Bown firing his effort against the upright instead.

DK's opening onslaught did have some effect as Preston repeatedly transgressed during this period before having flanker Sam Wallbank yellow carded after 21 minutes.

But despite going down to 14, Preston took the lead through a Lewis Allen penalty before inside centre Jack Ward scampered over for a try.

Preston were rewarded with a second try on the stroke of half time, No.8 Dominic Moon forcing his way over to leave DK's trailing 13-0 at the break.

Any prospects of DK's getting themselves back into the game were shattered within 60 seconds of resumption as full back Sean Taylor scythed his way through a fragile defence to score under the posts allowing Allen an easy conversion.

That made the score 20-0 putting Preston out of sight before speedy winger Conor Trueman sprinted over for their fourth and bonus point try on 53 minutes.

DK's hardly got out of their own territory in the second half but Preston had to wait until the very last minute for a fifth try, Sean Taylor using his pace to burst through for his second try of the game which Allen improved upon with the conversion.

It leaves new Director of Rugby Carl Douglas facing a huge task to turn matters around with relegation to National Three Midland next term inevitable.