A 9-2 loss - but we "won" the second half.

Won it with old school stuff - get physical, block the channels, stop the play, take the chances that come your way.

It was no lottery, had the numbers 4-5-1 come up from the off we could have won the game over 90 mins.

As it was, we tried to take on a skilled, fast-moving Smethwick side - that stuffed us 6-1 at York Road just a few weeks ago -  playing 4-4-2.

And went in 8-0 down at half-time seemingly set to surpass our worst ever competitive defeat - 10-0 to Wellington Amateurs last season.

With nothing to play for we changed to 4-5-1 got our "stopping" game on and won the second half 2-1.

A strong fightback doesn't disguise the impact of another heavy defeat. 

We're into October now and anchored to the bottom of the league with just three points from eight games, no wins, and a goal difference of minus 22.

Nor are results around us going our way. Just when we think we've eked out something, a near-rival pulls off a surprise score.

Talk was of a top three finish this season. Now it's about settling for survival, for as long as survival is still possible.

Our mid-week HFA Cup tie away to Lad's Club was called off, sparing us another formation debate and the possibility of being embarrassed again.

Because we're the hunted now - easy meat for sides scenting blood.

That scent draws Wombourne to Briarwood this Saturday.  

There's only so many wounds you can lick...