DAVID Oldfield slammed Weymouth’s defensive display as the Terras slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Torquay United.

Weymouth have now been beaten in six consecutive Vanarama National League games, while Oldfield has only taken one victory in 14 matches as boss.

It spells a dismal tale for the Terras, who drop to 22nd and stay nine points adrift of Aldershot – who themselves have suffered seven defeats in eight games.

Weymouth have not been able to take advantage of the Shots’ downturn in form, partly due to a porous defence and lack of potency up front.

READ MORE: Torquay United 3-0 Weymouth - match report

The same combination afflicted the Dorset side at Plainmoor as a simple ball over the top caught them out 12 minutes in, Stephen Wearne lashing across Ross Fitzsimons to open the scoring.

Five minutes later a brace of costly mistakes contributed to 2-0 as Tyler Cordner’s mistake in the centre circle allowed Torquay captain Armani Little to march through on goal.

He was brought down in the box by Ben Morgan, who conceded a second penalty in 18 minutes over the past two games, Little stepping up to convert.

Weymouth had numerous chances to score in the first half, Cameron Murray and Ben Thomson both denied by Gulls’ keeper Shaun MacDonald.

But mere moments into the second half, Torquay grabbed an easy third as Danny Wright nodded home Connor Lemonheigh-Evans’ flick-on.

Debutants Nathan Carlyle and Ben Greenwood were also repelled by MacDonald, while Brad Ash fired wide late on as Weymouth drew a blank in front of goal for the fifth time in six matches.

Speaking to Echosport, Oldfield did not hold back in his assessment of Weymouth’s shortcomings.

He said: “I want to start and finish with the crowd. The fans are fabulous. They are doing all they can do, they’re coming and being noisy

and supporting us throughout the process.

“We need to be extremely grateful for that. As a team, coaching and playing staff, we concede far too many simple goals.

“Simple goals that are hugely preventable. It really sets us back in our task, not only in the game but in the bigger picture.

“It’s my responsibility to get us organised and into an area where we absolutely know what we’re doing and give ourselves a chance of growing into football matches.

“The players are trying. We have misguided efforts, we are naïve in lots of places. But the players do care and it’s my responsibility to harness that effort and willingness to do the work with good team play.

“Overall, we’re very disappointed with the result but I’d like to finish again referencing the crowd, who were fully supportive and backing the players.”

Examining the two early goals, Oldfield said: “It’s very difficult to legislate for mistakes but it’s about our collective mentality.

“That’s where we have a responsibility to make the right decisions at the right time. The players have to play but we need to make sure we have a collective psychology in how we want to play.

“We’re not doing that well enough. We’ve conceded too many simple goals so any good play – we did create chances and have shots – is really once the horse has bolted. I think that’s very difficult.”