We didn't deserve to lose the game

Stuart Garrod travels with the ball during Saturday's clash at Bexhill United. Picture: Simon Newstead

Efforts in each half from Gordon Cuddington and Ashley Kidman helped Bexhill bag a 2-1 home victory.

The defeat was a first in the league since the opening day for Mile Oak, bringing an 11-game unbeaten run to an end.

Following the loss, Oak have dropped down to third in the table, with East Preston’s triumph moving them up to second on goal difference.

Looking back, Shoulders felt it was a game his team did not deserve to lose and said: “It was very frustrating to lose the game.

“It wasn’t a game I thought we deserved to lose, we dominated the game and the ball but Bexhill took the chances they had, so they won the game, but it was very frustrating to drop points.

“We have been in a little rut at the moment in front of goal and need to get that sorted this week.

“I think we deserved something out of the game, so when we scored late on I thought we were going to get a point but we just couldn’t get another goal.”

Having had the better of the opening exchanges, Oak found themselves a goal down on the half-hour.

Cuddington was left free and made no mistake as he slotted past Aaron Stenning.

After falling behind, Oak pushed for an equaliser before the half was out but Bexhill stood firm.

For all of Mile Oak’s possession, they struggled to create chances.

An already tough task got even greater on 62 minutes. Kidman made it 2-0 with a neat finish to leave Oak fighting to extend their unbeaten run.

Shoulders’ side were not going down without a fight and they pulled one back eight minutes from time.

Joseph Benn was the man who got the goal as Mile Oak looked to salvage something from the game.

With time running out, Oak piled more men forward but there was no way through and Bexhill held on for all three points.

Mile Oak travel to fifth-placed Little Common on Saturday, with Shoulders seeing it as a massive game.

He added: “Saturday was always going to be massive but it’s even bigger now.”

MILE OAK: A.Stenning; Early, E.Benn, Austin-Slade, Hall; J.Benn, Garrod, Wedge-Bull; J.Stenning, McKenzie, Arnold. Subs: Symes (Wedge-Bull), Gould (Arnold), Khan (J.Stenning).

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We didn't deserve to lose the game - Shoulders