By Tony Harrison

Last updated 16:25, Tuesday, 25 March 2008

WORKINGTON TOWN coach Dave Rotheram has warned his players: Shape up or be shipped out.

His blast came at half-time during the clash at Gateshead Thunder.

Town led 8-0 in a superb opening 10 minutes but then went Thunder ran in four first-half tries to lead 22-8 at the break.

Town dominated the second half to regain the lead at 26-22, but a late disputed Thunder try and conversion saw them take the spoils.

Rotheran said: “People just decided to do what they wanted and drift away from the game plan. Once one player does that, others follow suit.

“We gave them a good talking to at half-time and look what it did. We had a 95 per cent completion rate but the damage was done in the first half.

“Players have just got to listen and stick to instructions. And I told them at half-time that they either stick to instruction or get out and we’ll find somebody who does want to listen.”

“My hands are tied at the money because I can’t ship a load out and bring a load in. We just haven’t got the number of players to do that.”

Rotheram’s injuries worries piled up when both Jason Mossop and Rob Lunt were carried from the pitch. Lunt seemed to be the more serious issue, and with Jay Duffy already out, Lunt had stepped into the stand-off role. But Rotheram’s options are now running out at half-back.

Town entertain Rochdale Hornets on Sunday (3pm kick-off). They won 54-4 at London Skolars yesterday, after losing 46-32 at home to Oldham Roughyeds on Friday.