Delaney's side face Mounts Bay in the National Trophy on Saturday

Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney says the sloping pitch at Goldington Road was the main reason for the 23-16 defeat by Bedford Blues.

The Green and Whites were 16 points ahead just before the turnaround.

But Luke Sherriff was sin-binned moments before the break and on the re-start Blues took advantage and went on to secure victory with a late try.

"We were outstanding in the first half but failed to get to grips with the slope in the second," Delaney said.

"Bedford pinned us in our half for the majority of the second half and we made far too many errors.

I am still confident we can produce a top-four finish Glenn Delaney

"They are very adept at playing the slope and they didn't give us an inch."

Nottingham were good value for their first-half lead thanks to tries from David Jackson and Dan Montagu and two Tim Taylor penalties.

But a rapid home response soon whittled that advantage down to 13 points.

Another penalty drew Blues level and a late try secured the win.

Delaney added: "It means we slip back to fifth in the league but I am still confident we can produce a top-four finish as we move into the business end of the season."

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