Tooth - "Play-off push all but over"

Sutton Coldfield Town assistant manager Neil Tooth admitted his sides play-off push was all but over after mid table Kidsgrove claimed all 3 point at a snowy Coles Lane.

A second half double from Liam Shotton condemned the Royals to their fifth game without a win, and Toothy was downbeat on their hopes of regaining their early season form.

"I was disapointed with the performance more than the result," said Tooth. "If im honest the play-offs are now beyond us, we are now relying on other teams to slip up. "What we need to focus on is getting back our form and securing a run of wins, then you never know. It seems stupid but you could almost tell that we were a team that wasnt playing for anything. "Collectively our recent form has been bad and at the minute I cant see any light at the end of the tunnel, we know we'll need one hell of a run and we will probably have to go the rest of the season unbeaten."

In an even first half Sutton had the better of the chances with Mark Bellingham hitting the post and Nick Heath having an effort deflected wide with the keeper stranded. The second half was all Kidsgrove and they wrapped the game up with two goals in eight minutes.

Tooth added "I cant just blame the players for today as I got our substitutions wrong and I have to hold my hands up to that. I told the players after the game that we draw a line under today and move on. We all know we are capable of much better and we owe it to the committee and the fans to improve and improve quickly."

The club have signed centre half Jack Stone from Tipton Town.

Stone signed Evo-Stik League forms after training last night and Royals boss Keogh was delighted to get him on board.

"Jack is another young lad wanting to make the step up," said Keogh.

"At 6ft 7ins we hope that he can be the dominant centre half we have been missing of late.

"He is not just here to head it though he is very comfortable on the ball and he can see a pass too so we are hoping he will adjust to the step up very quickly and make a name for himself at this level."

Stone will go straight into the squad for the weekend trip to New Mills.

Meanwhile, right back Lyndon Weller has signed from neighbours Boldmere St Michaels as Keogh makes changes.

"Lyndon has done well against us whenever he has played and he was rated very highly at Boldmere," said Keogh. "Rob Mallaband (Boldmere manager) has been fantastic and he let us talk to Lyndon last week and then he was involved with us on Saturday.