ILMINSTER manager Darren Manley was unfazed by his side’s 2-0 home defeat by Frome Collegians at the Rec.

Given their recent home form, which had brought two successive victories, the Blues might have expected to earn at least a point from opponents who were sitting just three points higher in the table.

But Manley was realistic about the reverse.

He said: “Frome Collegians are a very good footballing team and we didn’t really put in the kind of good, workmanlike shift we have done recently.

“We have got to be realistic and accept that results like that are going to come along.”

Ilminster began the game without either Alex Paul or Chris Nezianya. And their cause was further hampered by an injury to Jonny May which required a reshuffle in central defence with Ashley Locke dropping back to partner Ollie Hutchings.

Frome enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half although Manley's decision to switch to 4-3-3 did much to negate the marauding runs of the visiting full-backs.

Frome made the breakthrough five minutes from half time when they broke down the field following an Ilminster corner.

The visitors were again the better side in the second period and made it 2-0 after 70 minutes.

The Blues kept plugging away and on another day might well have capitalized on two late corners.

But it wasn’t to be and their attention will now turn to the visit to lowly Stockwood Green this Saturday.

The strugglers have won just two matches from 11 starts but Manley is expecting a tough game.

He said: “Stockwood are always a very difficult side to play against and I'm expecting one of the hardest games of the season. I don’t imagine they'll stay where they are in the table.”

May is likely to be out for at least a couple of weeks while the Blues will again be without Paul on Saturday. Nezianya is also a doubt.

Ilminster: Wayne Lewis; Darren Manley, Ollie Hutchings, Jonny May,George Miles; Brad Miles, Ashley Locke (sub Craig Stuckey), Aistair Boyer, Richard Crabb; Charlie Rutter, Taylor Jefferson. Subs not used: Dave Eglon, Simon Manley.