BOSS Kyle Critchell admitted Portland United “weren’t good enough” as their fine unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Wessex Premier leaders Moneyfields, adding: “I’m absolutely gutted.”

Goals from Tom Jeffes, Callum Laycock and Jack Lee earned a 3-0 victory for the visitors at Camp & Satherley Stadium.

Blues came into the contest unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, and having not lost at home all season.

Reflecting on the defeat, Critchell told the club’s social media: “The difference I think is just that they were more proactive, more hungry and they executed their gameplan better than we did.

“Ultimately they were worthy winners and it was just a shame our unbeaten streak came to an end in the manner that it did.

“But it’s not the end of the world. We’ve lost a football game and we knew we were going to lose plenty of football games when we walked through the door.

“It’s just the nature of the defeat that hurts a little bit more for me and everybody in the changing room. They’re gutted.

“Hold no punches, we weren’t good enough.”

Portland had a couple of openings before the deadlock was broken, but were unable to apply the finishing touch.

Moneyfields then took the lead on 34 minutes, Jeffes heading in from a corner.

Another set-piece almost carved out the second goal, Jeffes this time smashing against the post.

Joe Wickham missed a good chance to equalise after the break, before Laycock made it 2-0.

Critchell then turned to his bench, making a triple substitution.

But they could not change the tide, Lee adding a third as the game moved into the final 20 minutes.

Discussing the nature of the goals, a frustrated Critchell said: “I think our organisation is one of our strongest assets. At times, we kind of went away from the gameplan.

“I know it’s lads trying to be proactive, and I respect that, but what we’ve done previously is we’ve stayed in games and we’ve dug in. Ultimately (on Saturday) we just couldn’t do that.

“We’ve conceded from two set plays, which is frustrating, because we worked on them.

“So it’s not down to us not knowing, it was just the organisation wasn’t there when it came to the crunch on the pitch.

“We’re really disappointed. I’m absolutely gutted that’s the performance we’ve put in against top of the league.

“We wanted to give them a better game. I wanted them to come away from here feeling like they had been in a game. I don’t think they probably do.

“You can see why they’re top of the league. We weren’t close to them.”

Blues: Bruton, Harvey, Clarke, Bessant, Callow, Williams (Scott, 69), McKechnie, Wickham (Woolford, 59), Morris (Doyle, 59), Delves, Borthwick (Sheehy, 59).

Unused sub: Gadsby.