PHIL Wilson shook his head in disbelief after his Lancaster City side crashed to a fifth straight Conference North defeat on Monday.

The Dolly Blues spun to a 2-0 loss at Ashton United to leave them perilously close to the relegation zone.

But Wilson, along with the travelling fans, was baffled with the result after a City performance to more than suggest their lowly position is false.

The manager knows his side need to win at least one more game to be safe but tells the Citizen: "The attitude and effort was spot on and we were unlucky to lose. We were much better at Ashton than against Vauxhall and deserved something from the game.

"But that is football. When things are going against you nothing seems to run right."

Monday's game had a major turning point when Ashton were awarded a penalty when the ball struck Joe McMahon on the arm. His arm was tight by his side when a shot was drilled at him.

Wilson refused to condemn the referee for that decision but says: "It came at a bad time because we were well on top when that was given.

"Then their second goal came when we had about six men in attack."

Saturday's trip to Stafford Rangers is another tough test for the Dolly Blues but Wilson says: "Every game is tough and I am sure no one realises just how hard this league is. But the players are upbeat and I am confident we can pull through."

For the trip to Marston Road. Wilson must shuffle his pack with skipper Gary Bauress starting a four-game suspension.

Crewe Alexandra trainee Andrew Bond is likely to fill his shoes, while new goalkeeper Tony McMillan continues after joining the club from Runcorn FC Halton.

o Our website at www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk/ news/lancscitizen broke the news first of the Bond and McMillan signings. Log on to catch the first and best reports from Morecambe and Lancaster City midweek games.