Grantham Town are beaten by Sutton Coldfield in the Northern Premier League

Interim manager Paul Rawden felt his Grantham Town side showed a 'complete lack of character' as they plummeted to the foot of the league table after a three-goal home loss on Saturday.

The Gingerbreads were beaten by Sutton Coldfield in their Northern Premier League Midlands Division match at the Meres.

They found themselves trailing at the interval to a first half goal from Cameron Collins which was followed by a double strike after the break.

An own goal from Grantham defender Richard Black doubled the Royals' advantage before Kai Tonge rounded off the scoring in the final minute.

It sent Grantham to a fourth league loss in the last six games and now leaves them four points adrift of safety.

Rawden said: "We showed a complete lack of character when the second goal went in.

"We didn't show any bravery. Nobody showed for the ball and we just put hopeless punts into bad areas.

"Collectively, we were simply nowhere near it."

Grantham were playing into the strong wind in the opening period which led to Coldfield's first chance as Tonge latched onto a long clearance before seeing his low shot deflected narrowly wide.

The visitors then took the lead in the 18th minute as Collins collected the ball before bursting forward and unleashing a super strike from distance that nestled into the far corner of the Grantham net.

The Gingerbreads looked for a response and Max Cook saw a low shot saved by Royals goalkeeper James Wren with the loose ball being hacked away from danger by the visitors.

Jevin Seaton saw another effort safely gathered by Wren after a strong burst forward from AJ Adelekan as Grantham finished the half strongly.

Rawden added: "They've scored a 40-yard wonder goal which is a contender for goal of the season and that happens.

"They used the wind quite well but we grew into the game and we got the ball down in good areas for the last 10 minutes of the first half.

"We said at half-time that we couldn't go big, long and straight because it was going to go through to the goalkeeper or out of play. We needed to keep the ball on the floor and move it around."

Grantham forced a succession of corners at the start of the second half but were unable to get back onto level terms and the Royals doubled their lead in the 54th minute.

Jack Lynch clipped a ball to the back post where Black sliced it into his own net and the Gingerbreads faced an uphill task from then on.

Tonge turned a shot over the crossbar from close range while Grantham's best chance fell to Seaton whose header from a Jack Butterfill free-kick was saved by Wren.

Ryan Edmunds flashed a free-kick just wide for the visitors after Tonge had been brought down by Black as he raced clear of the Grantham defence.

Butterfill fizzed a shot over from distance for the Gingerbreads while Lynch blazed an effort high and wide for Coldfield when well placed.

The visitors wrapped up the win in the last minute as Collins' pass sent Tonge clear and he slipped his finish past the advancing Curtis Hall in the Grantham goal.

Rawden commented: "We started the second half on the front foot and built some pressure up but then got suckered by a little breakaway for their second goal.

"At that stage, you really wanted your side to come out fighting and scrapping but we didn't. I think we accepted defeat.

"We didn't have that character which you need and collectively it just wasn't good enough. We've got a lot of hard work in front of us."

Grantham travel to face 10th-placed Wellingborough Town on Saturday.