PETERSFIELD Town manager Mark Summerhill was full of praise for his side after they drew 1-1 at United Services Portsmouth in Division One of the Sydenhams Wessex League on Monday night.

The Rams had lost their previous two games, but they produced an impressive performance to earn a point at the league leaders.

“That was as well as we’ve played all season,” said Summerhill. “It was a free hit for us against the team at the top of the league, and Michael Wright was magnificent in the number ten role. From one to 11 our defensive performance was first class.

“Marvin Orepo went on a run from left-back up the pitch which lifted the whole team.

“There’s now an understanding of the level we need to be at to compete against the top teams. You can’t buy the spirit and character we’ve got at this club. This group of players have got it, and it makes everything worthwhile.”

Summerhill’s mood wasn’t as upbeat after his side had slipped to a 1-0 defeat at East Cowes Victoria on Saturday.

“It was a real slip-up,” said the Petersfield manager.

“They didn’t trouble us at all. We dominated possession in the first half, but we didn’t create any clear-cut chances.

“We were camped in their half and we had possession in good areas.

“At half time I thought we would get the breakthrough in the second half.”

Harry Furness scored the only goal of the game, but Summerhill was adamant it should have been disallowed.

“Their goal was five yards offside,” he said.

“The referee spoke to his assistant, but they gave it.

“In the first half we should have had a penalty – even their manager said it was a stonewall penalty.

“Matt Low was taken out in the box, and if we go 1-0 up we might have won the game.”

Summerhill changed things to try to get his side back in the game, but the Rams boss admitted his side were lacking quality in the final third.

He said: “We brought Marvin Orepo on to use his pace against their centre-half, but we didn’t get in behind once.

“It was a really poor display by us. We huffed and puffed and I can’t fault the lads’ effort, they gave everything they had.

“Everything conspired against us, and that adds to the frustration. We got in good areas but we would cross the ball with nobody in the box, or if somebody was in the box it wouldn’t break for us.”