BEES' boss Paul Fairclough blasted his side's first-half defending as they conceded four goals against the Magpies.

He said: "The defensive aspect of our game was quite shocking.

"When you concede four goals like we did in the first half there is no way back from that, even though the lads never gave up trying.

"Football has a habit of kicking you between the legs, but it also has a habit of giving you a big kiss on the lips sometimes.

"I am the eternal optimist and I am hoping we will bounce back from this. I believe the team is capable of doing that but this was a bad day at the office."