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Jay Saunders felt the key moments went against Tonbridge on Saturday in their Kent derby defeat at Dartford in National League South.
Samir Carruthers’ first-half goal direct from a corner and substitute Pierre Fonkeu’s strike consigned the Angels to a 2-0 loss at Princes Park in front of a crowd of 1,278.
The visitors could have set up a grandstand finish, however Joe Turner missed the target with a penalty in the 78th minute.
Tonbridge boss Saunders reflected: “I thought we were all right, to be honest. I thought we had spells in the game where we were good, I thought we started the game very well on the front foot.
“But key moments change games. If you are looking at the first goal, that’s poor - straight from a corner. We have got a few out at the moment and it affects us, but that’s poor.
“I thought it took us a while to get going again. I want us to get on the ball, be brave and we stopped doing that for a spell.
“Then I thought we came out, second half, and were having a good spell. Actually when they scored their second goal, we were kind of on the front foot.
“We had a couple of good chances [in the second half] - missed the penalty - and it’s fine lines in this league.
“Dartford are on a good run. They are good at what they do and, today, they have come out with the points.”
Eight yellow cards were brandished by referee Ross Martin. Darts manager Dowson was unhappy with the number of cautions and Saunders agreed while the Angels manager also revealed his troops felt Dartford’s second goal should have been ruled out for offside.
“I thought the ref was miles off it today if I’m honest with you,” he said.
“Look, I’m not one for blaming refs for losing games at all and I’m not blaming him for us losing the game. But I just felt there wasn’t a bad tackle in the game, really, but eight bookings. And the ones that were bookings, he didn’t give!
“I think the boys are really cross because they feel the second goal was offside. It’s hard from where I am. I can only go on my players, I’ll need to see it again, but it’s too late now, isn’t it? It’s gone.
“The boys definitely felt it was offside and they feel disappointed with that and, at that point, I feel we were in the ascendancy. We had just had a great chance and we were looking dangerous but, look, it wasn’t to be.
“We have got to take the positives and there were positives. We played some good stuff but we weren’t good enough in both boxes.
“Two set-pieces [for Dartford’s goals]. The first is straight from a corner and the second is from a long throw bouncing about in our box.
“They probably defended their box a bit better than us and that’s why we are where we are.”
Tonbridge, who are missing a host of players through injury which included player-coach Tom Parkinson, Doug Loft, Ben Swift, Jamie Fielding and James Taylor, found striker Louis Collins isolated as they ultimately couldn’t get past experienced Darts defenders Tom Bonner and Connor Essam, and goalkeeper Joe Young.
Saunders, whose side are 11th, three points off the play-offs, said: “Listen, they defended well, they defended deep.
“Where Lou is very good, he makes runs in behind with his movement. But today, they kind of sat deeper and it was kind of hard for us to get in.
“It was important we got runners off it and tried to get the ball in the final third. As I say, we started the game very well but, listen, we weren’t good enough in both boxes.
“No disrespect at all to Dartford but they are good at what they do. They’re back to front, no messing, loads of experience. We’re probably the opposite.
“Other than Scott Wagstaff and a couple of others, we’re very, very young. It’s a learning curve for some of them and that’s what we have got to keep doing.
“Dartford probably really want to push for promotion this year and, looking at us, we’re probably trying to build. I’m pleased with where we are in the league. We have got lots of injuries still but we are getting people back and we’re still picking points up with that so I think we’ll get stronger.
“Some of the boys haven’t played against that sort of opposition, it’s different for them, they’re learning. But they’ll take it on and get better.”
Saunders also commented on a start for 18-year-old defender Joe Tyrie as he explained why he had come into the side for midfielder Tommie Fagg, who came off the bench.
“Faggie has got a groin problem. He’s a midfielder really,” he said.
“Joe’s done a job for us. We have Swifty out, Parky out and Faggie was struggling with his groin so he couldn’t do more than half a game.
“It was Joe Tyrie’s second start and, for an 18-year-old kid, I thought he did really well against Charlie Sheringham who is experienced.
“He’s got a big future ahead of him, I’m really pleased for him. If he had been fitter sooner, he probably would have started before that.
“But he’s the reason I haven’t really gone out and replaced them two because him and Faggie can do that job there.
“I’m pleased he’s fit and pleased he put in the performance he did.”
