THE flat performance that resulted in Tividale's FA Vase exit has opened the door for the club's fringe players to stake a claim for a starting role, says manager Dave King.

Dale were dumped out of the competition when Brocton beat them 2-0 at the Beeches on Saturday.

It saw back-to-back cup exits following the previous weekend's battling loss to Rushden and Diamonds in the FA Cup.

King was disappointed by the performance and says the chance is there for others to push for a first team opportunity ahead of a busy week of West Midlands League action.

"I was very disappointed with the performance," said the boss. "We just didn't turn up on the day.

"I thought it was a danger because of the effort we put into the previous week's FA Cup game and I felt that everyone was a little flat beforehand. I warned the players about it as I could sense everything wasn't quite right but we still didn't have the right attitude and we forgot the basics all round.

"We now have three tough league games in the space of a week and it does mean that the door is open for others to show they deserve a start. Training will be interesting on Thursday.

"I'm a big believer that if you do well you will keep the shirt but now all those players that haven't been as involved as they'd have liked have the chance to force their way in."

Tivi will take on Stone Old Alleynians away this Saturday before going to Malvern this Wednesday and then hosting Wolverhampton Casuals the following Saturday.

They will be without Liam Williamson after the midfielder injured ankle ligaments against Brocton.