Sorry Southam leaking goals

But despite the 3-0 defeat, the first signs of a recovery were evident as, with captain Tom Cross and Simon Hicks back in defence and reinforcements arriving in the shape of Josh Turton and former Racing Club Warwick player Tom Cooper, Saints looked much more solid, resisting Atherstone for 50 minutes.

Adders manager Ivor Green has put together a side with energy and skill who move the ball swiftly out of defence into attack, typified by their second goal scored by George Brindley in the 64th minute.

They set out their stall as early as the third minute when Cooper conceded a free-kick and Daniel Creaney forced Cross into making a smart save to push the ball away for a corner.

A goalmouth scramble in the 23rd minute saw Cross again deny the home side, picking up an injury in the process as the ball came back off a post.

It was turning into a busy night for the Saints keeper as he saved with his legs from lively Kyle Bishop and Saints had their best chance three minutes before the break when Oli Manoochehri burst through, but shot over.

Adders attacked straight from the restart and Cross got down to save from Bishop.

But Saints’ resistance was broken in the 50th minute as a good move between Bishop and Creaney ended with the latter scoring from close range.

David Boal hit a post before Brindley doubled the lead and Ben Ashby set up captain Lee Smith for the third, despite Cross getting a hand to the ball.

Prolific marksman Mark Bellingham scored five as Bromsgrove Sporting inflicted a 10-0 defeat on a willing, but inexperienced Saints side on Saturday.

With half the squad still young enough to play for the youth team, a trip to the Victoria Ground to face free-scoring Sporting was always going to make for a tough afternoon.

Add in the threat of Bellingham, who has scored more than 600 goals in his career and it was likely to be a question of how low the Saints defence could keep the score, and so it proved.

Bellingham opened the scoring with a header after just five minutes and Sporting added four more before the break, doubling the advantage by the final whistle.

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Stafford Town (3pm).

Cooper is unavailable, but Ben Tennant should return in defence and Ryan Isherwood in midfield. Robbie Stephens is still recovering from a hamstring injury.