CWMBRAN Town boss Tony Willcox, pictured, has conceded the League of Wales title is out of his team's grasp - but insisted his Crows are still fighting for a European spot.

March was an absolute nightmare for the Gwent side as they were beaten out of the Championship race and dumped out of the Welsh Cup by lower-league Ton Pentre - but a frustrated Willcox is putting a brave face on it.

Injuries and suspensions to key players have crippled Cwmbran's already small squad.

Influential midfielder Anthony Wright (hamstring) and striker Mattie Davies (broken foot) are out for the rest of the season, while skilful midfielder Nathan Cotterrall has just served a four-game ban.

Top-scorer Craig Hughes, who notched 22 goals in all competitions this term, was banned from all football grounds in the country for three years, as a fan and a player.

He had admitted entering the field of play at Cardiff City's FA Cup win against Leeds United at Ninian Park at Cardiff magistrates court.

But Town's legal advisers are looking through the case as it stops Hughes from earning a living, which the player and club see as unfair punishment.

"It has been an amazing turn-about which is virtually unknown at this club," said Willcox.

His team played all of their games away from home until mid-January while Cwmbran Stadium was redeveloped.

"There are excuses, but we are not going to use them," added the Cwmbran manager.

He is referring to all the tiring away trips and the crucial players they have lost because of a series of injuries.

"Craig, Mattie, Anthony and Nathan scored more than 50 goals between them and to lose them all was a big blow. It affected our shape and pattern and we found it difficult to adapt.

"Any aspirations we had of winning the league are now over, but we will keep fighting for a European place while there is still one available.

"There is like a mini-league now including us, Bangor, TNS, Caersws and tomorrow's opponents Rhyl who are battling for that remaining UEFA Cup spot."

But Willcox pointed out that league leaders Barry Town and second-placed Bangor could both reach the Welsh Cup final so third-place in the LoW might be good enough for a UEFA Cup spot - therefore making fourth-place good enough for an Intertoto Cup place.

"We'll take an Intertoto Cup place," said Willcox. "With teams like Leeds United set to be in it, any club will be mad not to."

Fourth-placed Rhyl, who Willcox says are in that mini-league fighting for a European spot, would be a double bonus as it would earn Cwmbran their first three home points in two outings and also take points off one of their closest rivals.

"They beat us 1-0 earlier in the season and are a good team," said Willcox, who is also without suspended defender and captain Sean Wharton tomorrow.

Cwmbran Town (from): P O'Hagan, R Carter, J Wile, R David, N Smothers, A Moore, N Wigg, N Cotterrall, C Watkins, J Welsh, P James, M Dunn, M Pattimore, S Mainwaring. Kick off 2.30pm.

* Town keeper Gary Wager has joined Port Talbot Town on a permanent basis after a three-month long loan spell at the Victoria Road club.

* Cwmbran's home league match against Aberystwyth Town next Wednesday will kick-off at 6pm.