PETERSFIELD Town manager Mark Summerhill was frustrated after defensive mistakes cost his side in their 3-1 defeat against United Services Portsmouth on Saturday.

The Rams led 1-0 at half time against the Sydenhams Wessex League Division One leaders, but three goals in the second half gave the visitors the three points at Love Lane.

Summerhill said: “It was a bit disappointing. We just about shaded the first half, and we deservedly went 1-0 up.

“We then conceded a really soft first goal from a free kick. It was a free header after a catalogue of errors. The ball went through Matt Petts, but I can’t blame him as he’s saved us plenty of times this season.

“We did well in the first half and then made three basic, schoolboy errors, which is disappointing. We can have plans, but once the players cross the white line I’m helpless.

“The stuffing was knocked out of us. For all their quality, we made three mistakes.”

Summerhill also felt key decisions went against his side.

“We were on the end of a couple of bad decisions,” said the Petersfield manager.

“We should have had a penalty in the first half when Matt Low was brought down, and the key one was when Ryan Kennedy was sent off in the second half for a fantastic tackle on Harry Bedford, who was screaming and crying.

“They (United Services) managed the referee.”

Summerhill identified one area where he felt his side still have room for improvement.

He said: “We’ve got a really young side and when we’re up against it we can be short of a leader or two. We need more grit and character. Sometimes you need to roll your sleeves up and do the nasty things.”

The Rams’ growing injury problems continued in the first half on Saturday, when Sean Burton had to come off.

“Sean did his hamstring,” said Summerhill.

“Jake Bourton did his hamstring at Eastleigh and Lewis Tosdevine had a sickness bug on Saturday, which all adds up.

“Will Webb came on at right-back for Sean and he did a great job. He has played a lot of football and is a bit tired, so it was far from ideal, but he did very well for us.

“We were good in the first 45 minutes, but we were beaten by the better team in the end.

“I’m going to have to pick them up now, but I did tell them before the game that it’s not those games that will decide our season.

“The next two games are massive for us now, though.”