A BATTERED and bruised Morning Allstars side slipped to their first defeat of the season, falling to an 8-4 defeat to the T&G.

Despite storming into a one-goal lead after striker Carl Worswick had let fire from the edge of the box, the Allstars soon lost their momentum and went into the break 2-1 behind.

The weekend's exertions in the Berkeley Nomads Cup had left the Allstars squad threadbare, without the usual services of key players James Eagle, who had aggravated an old foot injury, and Adrian Roberts who was left out of the side due to fatigue.

Worswick, Chris Hirst and Peter Mengerink - all members of the desperately unfortunate Allstars side that were beaten in Saturday's final on penalties - were far from match fit while Karl Stewart was unusually subdued.

James Walsh, making a rare start for the Reds, flicked in a delightful goal in the second period to join a fierce drive from Mengerink and a fortuitous angled effort from Worswick. But tiredness told and the Allstars finished the game well beaten at 8-4.

The match was the first game of the Morning Star League, thus putting the victorious T&G side on top perch and leaving the Allstars looking upwards.