JEFF Roberts conceded Highworth Town were simply not at the races as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Southern League Division One South leaders Yate Town on Saturday.

The Bristol side put the game to bed in the first half as Olly Mehew’s brace and a strike from Adam Price gave the Worthians a mountain to climb.

Although Yate remain without a league defeat this term and have now picked up 20 points from eight fixtures, Roberts felt his side’s own shortcomings was the difference between the two on the day rather than the quality of the opposition.

“I think we have played better sides, if I am honest,” said Roberts, who saw his side slip to just a second defeat in nine league fixtures this term.

“Yate are a very big, strong side and they went direct quite a bit and played off the strikers and we didn’t really deal with it.

“I thought we were second to a lot and we were a bit slow and lethargic. They took their chances and we didn’t really compete in the game.

“We didn’t deal with their strength and the runners up top and the players coming in behind. We just weren’t up to speed with the pace of the game.”

Highworth were hampered by the absence of several players for the trip west along the M4 and Roberts felt an enforced reshuffle did his side no favours.

“We didn’t really need to change formation from the previous games we have played, so maybe that’s something I got wrong, but we had to make some alterations after picking up three injuries last weekend against Evesham,” said Roberts.

“It left us with quite a few out and we had to pull a young lad up from the reserves.

“We are very tight at the moment in terms of numbers – I think we have got 13 fit players out of a squad of 18 or 19. Maybe that’s something we need to have a bit of a look at moving forward.”