MALDON Cricket Club captain Martyn Coker believes his side have shown a drop in quality.

Maldon lost their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one match against Worlington, at Drapers Farm, by nine wickets.

After winning their first two games of the season, they have lost their last five.

Maldon posted 92 in their innings, 42 of those runs coming from the bat of opener Jamie Glenn.

In reply, the visitors breezed by their target for the loss of only one wicket.

Maldon now sit at the bottom of the division as they head to Haverhill, directly above them in the division, this weekend with a depleted side.

Coker said: “After an excellent start we now find ourselves bottom of division one.

“The effort of the players cannot be faulted but, ultimately, in the last few games we have lacked the quality we showed during the first two games of the season.

“We travel to Haverhill without opening batsman Glenn and Chris Harris, vice-captain Toby Pugh and our leading bowler so far this year, Gary Bannister.

“This does create opportunity for others to stake their claims for first- team places.

“Luke Whiley has taken 13 wickets in his last two games for the second team and Andy Richardson has performed well since joining the club earlier in the summer, so they both may come into contention.”