DUDLEY Town manager Andy Allardice insisted he had no regrets despite seeing his decision to go for broke at Malvern backfire.

The Robins were rocked by two late goals in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat in Worcestershire which burst the bubble of last Wednesday’s 4-2 derby triumph over Cradley.

Andy Arnold’s header had cancelled out Matthew Turner’s opener by half-time at the Langland Stadium but Lewis Platt seized upon several deflections to put Malvern back in front 10 minutes after the restart.

Dudley pelted the post and forced a top-drawer save from home keeper Charlie Weaver before pushing an extra man forward in pursuit of an equaliser.

But top scorer David Reynolds and Dene Whittal-Williams picked them off late on to leave Allardice with mixed emotions.

“It was such a shame because we were nice and positive,” said Allardice. “We played well, carried on from where we left off against Cradley and kept going at 2-1 down.

“With about five minutes to go, we decided to go for it and got caught on the break. I take responsibility for that but we had to try to get something from it and if we had done, it would have been richly deserved.

“The scoreline did not reflect the work we put in. We knew it would leave us open - but not that open."

“People might see the result and think we were well beaten but it was not a fair reflection of the game.

“I am trying to make the lads feel a bit more positive and if they can see us going for it and backing them to get a goal then it will stand us in good stead.”

Dudley will look to bounce back at home to rock-bottom Gornal (Wednesday, 7.45pm) and Stone Old Alleynians on Saturday (3pm) with Allardice hoping to implement some consistency in selection.

“I have been very pleased with the way we have adapted lately but we have to find stability and consistency in the team,” he added. “It is hard to find at this level but it will be key for us this season.”