BROMSGROVE head coach Dan Protherough praised the commitment of his players following their marathon trip to Cornish side Camborne this week in National League 3 South West.

The players had to endure a six hour coach journey before losing out 20-13 in a match which Protherough believes his side should have won.

Despite setting off from Finstall Park at 6.45am, Bromsgrove enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but still found themselves trailing 12-3 at the break.

Protherough said: "We were the architects of our own downfall because we missed some golden chances to score.

"We allowed Camborne to drive over far too easily from a lineout and then the defence got sucked in for a second try.

"I was massively disappointed that we didn't put more points on the board in the first half."

Matters didn't help when Bromsgrove lost Tom Hardwick to a yellow card just before half time as Camborne took full advantage after the break to snatch a third try while Bromsgrove were down to 14 players.

Trailing 17-3, Bromsgrove hit back through a try from full back Jon Critchlow, which he converted himself and also swapped two penalties with Camborne to complete the scoring.

Protherough added: "The travelling we've had to endure this season has been horrendous and people don't realise the amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes to get players to go to games.

"It's unfair and totally wrong that we've had to do this as it could have broken the club. Getting people to give up the amount of time involved has been really difficult.

"Yet we've remained competitive throughout and if I can keep this group of players together if we do get relegated, we will bounce back.

"But we continue to fight for every point. They'll be no throwing in the towel."

Bromsgrove are now 17 points adrift of safety with seven games left to play.

They travel to next-to-bottom Salisbury on Saturday having already beaten them at home this season.