WIVENHOE Town manager Lionel Toms admits his side must defend their box better after they lost 2-0 at home to Pinchbeck United, writes MAX FRETWELL.

The Dragons lie 16th in Thurlow Nunn League first division north, after two second-half goals condemned them to defeat at the Taylor Wimpey Stadium.

Toms said: “The game ebbed and flowed, I felt like we were just on top but fine margins, two shots, two goals.

“We are a side that looks to be aggressive and try to create overloads in the final third, but if we commit bodies we need to get back in and defend well.

READ MORE: Five observations from Colchester's draw with Bradford City

“We did see that in parts today but ultimately we need to defend our box better.

“We couldn’t ask more from our fans - they are fully supporters, win, lose or draw.

“They will back us but unfortunately we haven’t repaid them today.”

It was a crucial match for Wivenhoe, after a rough patch of form left them with one win in their last five encounters.

Despite recent results, the Dragons started the game off with intensity and desire to make amends.

 

An early cross found right-back Thomas Ayton who if it wasn’t for a sublime block, may have broken the deadlock within one minute.

There was a clear tactical instruction to use the width of the pitch, with Wivenhoe's two strikers hassling the centre-backs, leaving the wingers and full-backs open with opportunities to isolate Pinchbeck’s full-backs and create overloads.

It was Pinchbeck who perhaps came closest in the first half, with their midfielder firing a shot just over from just outside the box.

READ MORE: U's midfielder makes Sky Bet League Two Team of the Week

Wivenhoe applied waves of pressure with long balls which caused multiple corner opportunities but nothing came of them.

It was perhaps a sign of how the half was going when they received a booking for a mis-timed tackle, off the ball.

The early parts of the second half provided more of the same from both sides - long balls, duels, tackles and off ball intensity.

It was around the 55th minute when Pinchbeck rattled the crossbar from a cross, providing the first major scare of the match for Wivenhoe.

 

The Dragons fell behind when a long ball was chased down and slotted home calmly, but this moment wasn’t without drama as there were calls for a foul for a shoulder barge before the Pinchbeck attacker unleashed his shot.

A break in play allowed manager Toms to get his team in a huddle and re-adjust tactically.

But Pinchbeck produced the ultimate dagger when a venomous shot from just outside the box doubled their lead with around 15 minutes left to play.

Wivenhoe had a fantastic chance to pull one back from inside the box but Pinchbeck’s goalkeeper produced great reflexes to save with his legs, as the hosts were beaten.