Delaney labels Nottingham home defeat unacceptable

Delaney's side are fifth in the Championship table

Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney was furious with his side's performance in the 24-13 home defeat against Bedford Blues on Sunday.

"It was pretty unacceptable really," Delaney told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I don't think we played particularly well. We've got to be honest about what happened out there and there were too many unforced errors."

James Arlidge slotted two penalties and converted a late Tom Youngs try but the Green & Whites were well beaten.

An early penalty by Arlidge, who is now on international duty with Japan, put the hosts in front, but the visitors responded with a converted Will Fraser try and James Pritchard penalty.

Another Arlidge penalty brought the hosts within four points but two converted tries saw Bedford storm clear.

There are a number of guys missing so the squad is quite disjointed for one reason or another but that's not an excuse

Glenn Delaney

Youngs picked up a late consolation for the Green and Whites as they lost their second successive game.

But it was a lacklustre display from Nottingham in front of their home support, and they never really got out of first gear.

The Meadow Lane crowd have been used to an attacking flair in recent weeks, but their side came unstuck against quality opposition boasting one of the best defensive records in the league.

"Bedford defended really well", Delaney said. "We had a very good defensive system up against us and we didn't manage to break it down.

"There are a number of guys missing so the squad is quite disjointed for one reason or another but that's not an excuse. We've got to keep working hard and eradicating these unforced errors."

Nottingham: Jackson, Savage, Streather, B. Johnston, Cobden, Arlidge, C. Davies, French, Youngs, Buxton, Green, Hemingway, Hammond, Baird, Shaw.
Not Used: Barnham, Hamilton, Blake, Farrell, R. Davies, Kench, C. Eggleshaw.

Tries: Youngs.

Cons: Arlidge.

Pens: Arlidge 2.

Bedford: E. Thrower, Schmidt, Dodge, Vass, Pritchard, Dorrian, Chudley, Walsh, Clark, Boulton, Howard, Tomes, Gillanders, Fraser, Goodman.
Not Used: Locke, Seal, Rae, Harding, Walshe, Sharpe, Burke.

Tries: Fraser, Walsh, Burke.

Cons: Pritchard 3.

Pens: Pritchard.

Att: 1,623.

Ref: G Knox (Scotland).