DEANS boss Neil McNamara was left to reflect on what might have been after his side’s frustrating 1-0 defeat at Romsey in the Wessex Premier on Saturday.

Romsey went ahead on the stroke of halftime, hitting the home side at the right psychological moment, although Deans thought there was a suspicion of offside about the strike.

Deans had had the major share of play up to that point and continued to dominate after the break. They were camped in the Romsey half for the last 20 minutes, but try as Martin Peach and his colleagues might, they were denied an equaliser by the Romsey keeper who played out of his skin to make sure his side kept all the points.

One ray of sunshine for McNamara was the return of Nicky Goater whom he brought with him from Gosport at the start of the season.

“Having the experience of Goater in midfield made a big difference,” said the Deans boss.

He added: “Their keeper had one of those days when he was going to save everything.”

McNamara hopes to get among the points on Saturday when Horndean take on Poole Town at Five Heads Park.