Bradford & Bingley 28 Nuneaton 34

The questions Bees' head coach Geoff Wappett asked after this game was: "Where was the fire? Where was the heart?

"We need players who have the guts to go out and win games like this.

"We may be short of a couple of our best players but the players out there need to ask themselves can they step up to the mark? Can they compete at this level.

"As it was, we gifted Nun-eaton 21 points and you simply cannot do that in National League Two and then expect to prosper."

Compared to the season-opener conditions at Wagon Lane, things could not have been more different - monsoon to glorious sunshine.

Unfortunately, the result was the same. Nuneaton are rebuilding following their promotion with the Bees and will not be expecting to challenge for honours.

They are the kind of side the Bees should expect to beat but something is clearly misfiring with the Wagon Lane men at the moment.

They allowed 30-metre run-ins for Nuneaton from Lowden, Brocklehurst and Parry in the first half as a yawning chasm appeared in the Bees' midfield.

The Bees replied with a cracking try of their own from wingman Mark Kirkby but, having given the visitors the chance to get in front, they were always facing a difficult task to pull back a 24-13 scoreline as the sides turned round.

However, a penalty from Tom Rhodes after 46 minutes brought the home side within touching distance.

But just as they looked to be building a dominant platform, flying Nuneaton winger Parry shot over to put his side 15 points clear.

The Bees were rewarded with two tries in the final ten minutes from Ian Judson and Joe Simpson, Gareth Cull slotting two penalties for the Nuns.