Deeping Rangers are beaten by Newark Town in the United Counties League

A poor first half performance contributed to Deeping Rangers' downfall in their midweek match at Newark Town on Wednesday night.

The Clarets conceded three times during the opening 45 minutes of the Premier Division North game against their fourth-placed hosts.

The reversal sent Rangers to their third successive league loss and dropped Deeping down to 14th place in the table.

Boss Brett Whaley said: "We were a bit naive in the first half and I felt they wanted it more all over the park than us.

"They won most of the first and second balls and they scored three easy goals.

"We did have corners, some possession and opportunities but we're not clinical.

"The first half performance was really worrying because I expected to see a reaction after Saturday where we were gutted to lose so late on. A lot of us were very poor in the first half."

Deeping fell behind after just nine minutes when Brad McGregor fired home the opening goal for the Blues who doubled their advantage shortly after when Ryan Rushen tapped home from close range.

The Clarets forced a succession of corners in the first half but were unable to make them count and Newark netted a third goal eight minutes before half-time when Harvey Grice curled home a free-kick.

Deeping pulled a goal back straight after the restart to the second period when Ryan Cook pounced on a loose pass to reduce the arrears.

However, the Clarets were unable to make further in-roads into the deficit as the game petered out towards a conclusion.

Whaley added: "We got a lot closer to them in the second half and dropped on more of the second balls. We were more tenacious in our tackling and played it into good areas.

"We looked more of a threat and, when you get a goal, you never know what might happen but, when you're 3-0 down at half-time, then the game is usually gone and I think that was the case.

"We had some really harsh words in the changing room afterwards and, as a squad of players, we've got to start turning up for 90 minutes.

"We've played three sides in the top six recently and we've been poor for 45 minutes in each of those games and you can't do that.

"If you're not right from minute one to the final whistle then you're not going to get results and we haven't."

Rangers had been defeated by an injury-time goal in their league clash at Hucknall Town on Saturday.

Their hosts struck in the 95th minute to secure a 2-1 success in the Premier Division North match.

Hucknall had hit the front late in the first half from the penalty stop with Joey Ashurst converting to give the home side the lead.

Deeping got back on level terms just past the hour mark when Harrison Dee headed home the equaliser.

It looked like being enough to earn Rangers a solid away point until Hucknall hit them with a late blow.

Cashmere Rowe's through ball found substitute Trevell Lindo who finished well to send Deeping to defeat.