GARY Bailey pulled no punches in his post match assessment, after Portland United were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Whitchurch at Grove Corner.

The Blues have now failed to win in their last three games in all competitions, with their boss believing they were the victims of their own downfall on Saturday.

He told Echosport: “It’s a missed opportunity.

“No disrespect to Whitchurch but they are a poor side and we should be beating teams like that at home. We have allowed ourselves to play within ourselves. We beat ourselves.

“It’s not a league where you can take results for granted and I feel we did that. We did it on Tuesday against Swanage and we warned them again about being complacent. Unfortunately, they haven’t heeded the warnings.

“It’s as good as a defeat for me. There are not many positives coming out of it as a collective performance I’m afraid.”

The Blues had to wait until the hour mark to get the breakthrough at Grove Corner, with Jamie Beasley bending a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

But the home side fell flat and 10 minutes from time, they were pegged back.

Ross Carmichael misjudged a long ball over the top and keeper Sean Lillington was left in no man’s land, allowing Whitchurch’s Sam Alexander-Floyd to lob the ball into the net and make it a point apiece.

The home side rallied late on and had two massive shouts for a penalty turned down. The ball dropped to Ashley Smith during a melee in the Whitchurch box and he appeared to be brought down.

There was then a huge shout for handball in the aftermath but that was also not given, summing up what was a disappointing day for the island side.

Bailey added: “In the last 10 minutes we went flying at them. We threw the kitchen sink at them with an energy and a desire.

“I challenged the players at the end of the game and said we need to see that for 90 minutes, not just when we are up against it. For me, that’s the most frustrating thing.

“There is no place for coasting and playing within yourselves in my teams, I won’t have it.

“You have got to beat teams. Teams aren’t going to turn up and just go belly up for you, say ‘thanks very much for the chips’ after and go home.

“We are in a run of poor form at the moment and it’s important that we knuckle down, pull our sleeves up and get through it.”

Blues: Lillington, Bessant, Whyton, Carmichael, Clarke, Doidge, M Buckler, Bearwish, Beasley (Watts 75), Smith Clarke (Richardson 65). Sub not used: S Buckler

Attendance: 114

Man of the match: Tom Bearwish

Match ball sponsor: The family of the late Phil Browne

Programme sponsor: Palmer Snell, Weymouth

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e: daniel.rose

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