WEYMOUTH manager Brian Stock admitted there was a “gulf” between the Terras and Notts County during a comprehensive 3-0 loss to the Magpies at Meadow Lane.

In Weymouth’s penultimate Vanarama National League clash of the season, Stock’s men were never allowed to get going by a hungry County side fighting for promotion.

The hosts sizzled throughout and deservedly took the lead via the spot as Ruben Rodrigues punished Jake McCarthy for tripping Jake Reeves.

Kyle Wootton tapped home a deflected Rodrigues free-kick after an inopportune slip from the otherwise outstanding Weymouth keeper Ethan Ross.

Andy Dallas spurned two presentable chances for the Terras, while Ross made numerous big saves to deny the home side, who hit the bar through Richard Brindley.

Sub Enzio Boldewijn added a third and the mesmeric Rodrigues hit the post and had an effort cleared off the line by Jacob Mensah as Weymouth were fortunate not to concede more.

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Speaking to Echosport, Stock admitted the Terras had been outplayed by a team now guaranteed of a play-off spot.

“They’re a very good side,” he said. “What a fantastic club – a lovely stadium, pitch, good staff and made us feel very welcome.

“When you look at the gulf between us, it’s night and day.

“We’ve come off the pitch, through no lack of effort, and you hold your hands up and say: ‘We’ve been beaten by the better side’.

“They will, for me, be one of the favourites going into the play-offs.

“They had a lot of firepower to come off the bench to bring more energy into their team.

“I felt we gifted them two of their goals, but take nothing away from the result.

“At 3-0, it could’ve been more. The pleasing thing was that we didn’t chuck the towel in.

“As long as my players give everything they’ve got, if we come up short on quality or fitness levels, I can take that.”

On the goals, Stock added: “The first one I felt we could’ve dealt with the problem.

“And then, the second goal, we certainly could’ve done better.

“We kept going until the end and it was 1-0 in the second half – we’ve had to work hard for that as well.

“It sounds strange, but the boys have put their bodies on the line.”

Asked for the positives during the defeat, Stock named three players.

He said: “I think Ethan, if you take away the mistake. He pulled off some great saves.

“I felt Brennan (Camp) has had a pretty steady game.

“Maybe Cam Murray, he’s come into the side recently and made us a better footballing side. He picks up pockets of space and is hard to mark. I felt he had a good game.”

On Saturday, Weymouth travel to Hartlepool United for their final game of the campaign (12.30pm), assured of 18th spot.