PAUL Carden says he “takes the blame” for Yellows’ 5-1 hammering at home to Stourbridge.

Town fell to their heaviest defeat under Carden’s stewardship tonight as Jordan Archer netted twice for the Glassboys.

Stuart Pierpoint, Leon Broadhurst and Paul McCone also netted for the visitors, with Sean Williams’ penalty the only reply Yellows could muster.

Report: Yellows 1 Stourbridge 5

Carden changed to a 3-5-2 formation for the game but his side were found wanting aerially, with four of their five goals against coming from set-pieces.

Before tonight’s game, Yellows had only conceded seven league goals in 10 games but Carden admits his side were “bullied” at Cantilever Park.

“When you give a team who are strong in the air set-pieces, and you’re not as aggressive as they are in the box, you’re likely to concede,” he said.

“I think they’ve had six or seven set-pieces in and around the box and its led to four goals.

“We’ve been very good defensively, we’ve been really strong at the back but that’s the first time we’ve looked weak and second best.

“I have to take the blame, I’ve changed the system to try and get us something else further up the pitch.

“I don’t think the system has cost us, I just think we’ve been bullied in our own box and that is what’s cost us.”

Yellows could have gone top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division with a victory, but the result leaves them sixth in the table going into Saturday’s trip to Rushall Olympic.

Carden says his side were “naïve” but highlighted two players out for some praise.

“I thought Sean Williams was very good tonight and Josh Hine gave everything on one of his first games back,” he said.

“We did some okay things, but nothing productive.

“I can’t remember their defence being put under any real pressure or their keeper having a save to make.

“We’ve been very naïve tonight, we’ve played against a team that are renowned for the way they play.

“They help things on, put the ball in areas and don’t overcomplicate the game. Either side of the goals, we’ve looked okay.”