Once again the undermanned Sabres came close to securing a win before slipping to defeat in the dying minutes.

Despite fielding a 19-strong squad -- their biggest of the season to date -- the Southend side were heavily outnumbered by their Kettering-based opponents.

And it was that strength in depth which proved crucial as the Hybrids eventually ground down the opposition.

But apart from the disparity in numbers there was little between the sides and, with better luck, Sabres might have been two touchdowns ahead by half time.

Team manager Denis Richards said: "It was disappointing because we could have won.

"Yet again things just weren't working out quite right on the field and after all the work we put in we just ran out of steam towards the end."

From their first meaningful drive of the afternoon, rookie wide receiver Dave Gowers burst clear from two tackles and looked to be on his way to the end zone before a terrific covering tackle from a Hybrids defenseman halted him on the 20-yard line.

And after absorbing some pressure in their own red zone, Sabres broke out to come just yards short in the final seconds of the half.

Quarterback James Dawson picked out Lee Walsh on the two-yard mark with a precise pass, but the runner couldn't hold on to the ball and the fumble cost possession.

New arrival Howie Hanchak, who had the third highest college punting average when he was studying at Minnesota and has tried out at NFL and Canadian League level, made a brief appearance in the second half.

But after a big 45-yard punt ran just beyond the end zone he was forced out of the game with a hand injury.

Another superb Sabres catch under pressure from two defenders could not inspire a scoring chance in the final quarter, but the defense was still holding firm.

But two TDs in the final minutes condemned Sabres to another defeat in what is becoming a difficult season for them.

Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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