DABBERS boss Steve Davis warned his side they will blow their promotion dream if they fail to rediscover their form quickly.

The player-boss was furious after Nantwich tasted defeat against their Division One rivals Trafford on Saturday, making it just two points from the last available nine.

Davis again questioned the attitude of his men, claiming many ignore pre-match instructions.

He said: 'Not for the first time this season we failed to start well. Pre-match information and instructions were ignored, a regular problem which is in complete contrast to last season.

'The frustrating thing is that we have the nucleus of a promotion-winning side. But at the moment, we are looking anything but that.'

He added: 'However, with injuries forcing us to field 21 different starting line-ups in our 23 league games this season, the lack of a settled side is not helping.'

The Dabbers were boosted by the return of prolific frontman Danny Griggs following a double hernia operation.

But keeper Rob Hackney was well beaten in the 35th minute as Trafford took the lead. Troy Hayder embarked on a mazy run which ended in an accurate effort which dipped under the outstretched arm of Hackney and into the net.

And four minutes before the break, Town were dealt a further blow when Hayder struck again. The striker danced past a couple of defenders before slotting home.

But the hosts were thrown a lifeline on the stroke of full-time when Trafford central defender Ged Kielty was adjudged to have handled the ball in his area. Griggs made no mistake to halve his side's deficit.

Adam Beasley should have levelled soon after the restart but glanced a header wide from just five yards after good work from Griggs.

On 55 minutes skipper Phil Parkinson was hauled down just inside the box but the referee waved away the appeals from the men in green.

With 10 minutes left Nantwich were provided with further evidence that Lady Luck was not on their side, when Matt Blake struck the bar from close range.

Soon after sub Andy Bott appeared to have been pulled down in the box, but again the Dabbers were denied a second penalty.

Nantwich travel to Atherton Collieries on Saturday. nNantwich Town are holding player development sessions in a bid to add to their mini-soccer teams which play at the Alex Soccer Centre on Sundays, and further their advanced development squad. Boys and girls are welcome to attend.

The sessions begin today (Wednesday) for U8s, between 9am-noon. The U9s will train between noon-3pm.

Tomorrow, the U10s will train between 10am-1pm, while two sessions will be put on for the U11s on Friday. All are taken by the club's highly-qualified coaching team, and cost £3. Call Steve Davis for details on the venue, on 07984089189.