CINDERFORD director of rugby Andy Deacon says he has never shirked a challenge on a rugby field and he doesn't intend to start now.

Cinderford remain winless and second from bottom in the league after a last minute penalty gave Blackheath a 21-18 victory at Dockham Road.

The Foresters led 18-7 at half-time.

Deacon said: "The guys are very disappointed and confidence is not what it could be, but it's my job to pick them up.

"We've competed in every game we've played this season and we've got a great bunch of lads. We just need that first win.

"The pressure is on the players and the pressure is on me but I won't go into my shell. I've never stepped away from anything on a rugby field.

"We'll analyse what went wrong and build again for the game at Ealing this week."

Deacon admitted Cinderford's line-out fell apart in the second half and his team made too many wrong decisions. However, he was happy with the way they tried to gain territory with the boot in the second half.

He said: "The weather made it a scrappy affair. We played OK in the first half but didn't close the game off. They got a lucky try off the posts and it gave them heart.

"It just shows how tight this league is."

Cinderford captain Adam Nicholls should be back for the Ealing trip but Sam Wilkes has been in hospital with a serious virus and is unlikely to figure. That means young hooker Tom Bozzard may get another chance to impress.