JOINT-manager Craig Payton believes centre-back pairing of Shaun Wright and Richard Costello will come good as Bewdley suffered their fourth defeat in five games.

Town went down 3-0 to Wolverhampton Casuals on Saturday in the West Midlands League Premier Division as their poor run of form continued.

The defensive duo have been the key to the team’s success for several years but are not quite at their best.

Payton said: “Richard and Shaun are going through a little dip but they will get through it.

“We have the same back four as last year but it is a concern we’re conceding too many goals.

“Saying that, it’s not helped by the fact we’re not scoring either.

“If we can start scoring, then the team can relax.

Goals for Dean Clarke, Mark Bellingham and Tom Maydew saw off Bewdley in Wolverhampton at the weekend but Payton felt his side more than matched Casuals but failed to take their chances.

He added: “In the first five minutes, we hit the woodwork and had one cleared off the line, if one of those had gone in then it would have been a different game.

“I was pleased with the football we played but we’ve got to start scoring goals.”

One positive moment was the debut of under-21s winger Liam Edwards, who replaced the injured Robbie Orme at the start of the second half. He is the fourth player to make the step up from Town’s under-21 side.

Orme, who is battling with an ankle injury, is a doubt for Saturday’s clash at home to AFC Wulfrunians (3pm ko), while Richard Burgess, Costello and Craig Webb and are set to be unavailable.

Town entertain Malvern in the Infirmary Cup next Wednesday (7.45pm ko).