BISHOPS Lydeard’s County League Premier Division title bid has suffered a major knock with two defeats in three days.

Last Thursday, a depleted Lydeard went down 4-0 at Nailsea United and on Saturday they lost 3-2 away to Castle Cary.

Bridgwater Town Reserves’ 2-1 victory over Nailsea on Monday means they are six points clear of Lydeard, who have two games in hand.

At Nailsea, injury-hit Lydeard were 3-0 down at the interval and went on to concede another after the break.

They also finished with ten players after Brendan Craggs and Dale Webber were forced off with injuries.

On Saturday, Lydeard fell behind at Castle Cary, but Luke Desave fired them level after a goalmouth scramble.

Midfielder Matt Fowler then went off with, what turned out to be, a broken wrist and, to make matters worse, Cary regained the lead.

The hosts extended their advantage and despite Desave netting his second, Lydeard were unable to force an equaliser in the 20 minutes that remained.

Lydeard are away to Shirehampton tonight (Thursday) and take on local rivals Blackbrook at Wordsworth Drive on Saturday.