LITTLETON played their first game for eight weeks and it showed in a lacklustre display against second-placed Nuneaton Griff, losing 2-1.

The St Mary's Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division fixture was brought forward and Littleton were without several players.

On a windy afternoon with a sticky surface, the first 25 minutes were even but a superb goal from Nuneaton's number nine gave them the lead.

The ball was laid back to him on the edge of the box and he hit a powerful drive in off the post.

Two minutes later, the same player was sent off but the visitors coped easily with Littleton's attack for the rest of the half.

In the second period, Nuneaton made it 2-0 after a back-pass across the field was intercepted followed by a clinical first-time shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.

For 20 minutes, Littleton were unable to make any headway.

With 15 minutes left, they woke up and started to exert pressure.

Matt Mitchell's cross was headed down by Kevin Ingram to Stuart Hall, who shot over.

Hall scored with four minutes to go, converting from close range after Adam Guest hit the bar, but it was too little too late.

Littleton host Feckenham on Saturday in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Trophy (3pm) before visiting Studley in the league next Tuesday (7.45pm).