Horsham boss Dominic Di Paola reiterated his side’s over-achievements in their first ever National League South campaign despite a 1-0 defeat to Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday night.

Louis Britton’s 32nd-minute header was enough to secure all three points for the hosts at the Woodspring Stadium in what Di Paola called ‘a nothing game’.

It was a third game without a goal for the Hornets – who drew 0-0 with Maidstone last weekend – and it’s a run their boss attributed to the absence of injured attacking threats Reece Meekums and Lucas Rodrigues.

Competing at step two for the first time in their 145-year history, Di Paola gave his assessment of his side’s campaign thus far.

Harvey Sparks in action for the Hornets in their draw with Maidstone | Picture by McCartney Martin

placeholder image — Harvey Sparks in action for the Hornets in their draw with Maidstone | Picture by McCartney Martin

He said: “I can’t comment on them all, but I can't remember a National South League being as hard as this, as long as I've watched it – 13 full-time teams, two or three really big spenders who aren't full-time - very few teams of the same model and shape and size as Horsham. We've been comfortable for five weeks.

“You see Eastbourne Borough going down - they're full-time. They're spending a fortune. You see established teams like Bath going down - we've had the cigars out.”

He added: “In general, it's been very draining. It's a very hard league to manage. It's a very hard league if you haven't got the resources of some of the other teams.

"What we've achieved, quarter-finals of the FA Trophy... but for injury we could have had an even better season. I think we've massively overachieved as a group. The boys need a break now. They need a rest.”

After recently completing his 11th year in charge of the Hornets, this level is the highest Di Paola has coached at. “I've really, really enjoyed it,” he said. “I like the challenge. I like playing good teams.

“I take no satisfaction out of playing poor teams and hammering teams. I find that it's just not interesting. I've really enjoyed it. I think we could do good things at this level.”

Horsham have two games left this season – this Saturday’s trip to Salisbury before a final home match against Chippenham Town at the Fusion Aviation Stadium on April 25.