A DEPLETED Great Harwood side suffered a disappointing home defeat to mid-table Norton United.

The hosts missed the presence of long-term absentee John Eastham and flu victim James Dean while Paul Mashiter was suffering from a viral infection and had to make do with a place on the bench.

Boss John Hughes said: "We've gone from having a large pool of players at the start of the season to struggling to get a side together.

"The players seem to have become a bit distracted by getting to the final of the Division Two Trophy and our league form has suffered as a result.

"They were a total disgrace and things need to change."

Town, who barely had a shot on goal in the first period, conceded on 20 minutes through a deflected free-kick by Machin.

Darren Rogers then saw his penalty kick saved after the break before the Stoke side extended their lead through Tarr.

Substitute Neil Zarac grabbed a scrappy consolation goal for the Robins in the final minute.

GREAT HARWOOD...1

NORTON UNITED...2