Ian Allinson kept switching between anger, disappointment and frustration as he tried to describe his feelings after St Albans City’s 3-1 defeat away to Welling United.
Saints dominated the first half and got the all-important first goal five minutes after the break when Rhys Murrell-Williamson was fouled and David Noble swept in the resultant penalty.
But from there things went horribly wrong.
Bradley Goldberg equalised a mere 20 seconds after the restart and five minutes later the Wings were ahead thanks to Jack Parkinson’s bundled effort.
Jamie Philpott completed the victory for the hosts as Saints’ promotion hopes took a big dent.
The City boss said: “I thought we played ever so well in the first half. We came out a bit sloppy in the second but got the breakthrough and then we just switched off and capitulated.
“And in the last 35 minutes we were second best all over the park and Welling deserved it.
“It’s disappointing because we passed the ball well in that first half and created good chances.
“But the biggest thing is when we go 1-0 up. We know we have to see the game out and we know we will get chances as the game goes on but then a crazy three or four minutes and we’re 2-1 down.”
Allinson questioned his own actions after City’s goal but hinted that the players needed to take responsibility.
He said: “I didn’t see it coming, I felt comfortable, but I’ve got to look at myself because when the goal goes in, do we have to get into everyone again and make sure they’re switched on?
“We try and let players play their own game, you try and make sure they realise the importance.
“Everyone says it; the minute after you score is the most important time.
“But has it got to come from the sideline? Do we have to be screaming and shouting?
“It was a great finish but we shouldn’t allow shots from the edge of the area.”
Chippenham Town visit on Saturday with Allinson well aware they need to start winning games of football and soon.
He said: “We’ve got to be a lot better than we were in the last 35 minutes at Welling if we’re going to make the playoffs.
“The players have got to learn that when the going gets tough, we need to dig deep, when we have a good spell we need to punish teams but most of all we have to make sure we don’t lose games as simply as we did.”
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