Stanway Rovers' joint manager Rob Bate felt his side were on the wrong end of some bad luck as they lost 2-1 to Mildenhall Town in the Ridgeons League premier division.

Bate had been unhappy with Rovers’ defending in their previous two games, which they lost 4-3 and 5-3, but was more satisfied with their latest outing and felt they were unfortunate not to take something from the encounter after Ed Kirby had drawn them level at 1-1.

He said balls not bouncing for them in the box presented the visitors with both goals, while Stanway felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty at the other end and had Luke Callander sent off as they protested to the referee.

reflection Bate said: “The result wasn’t a fair reflection of the game as our performance was really good and we could not have asked for more.

“We showed great character and organisation and things that had been missing in the previous two or three games were spot on, but unfortunately things went against us.

“They had a couple of lucky bounces where the ball fell for them in the six-yard box for their goals and when it was 1-1 we had what we felt was a blatant penalty turned down.

“In the melée that followed, Luke Callander was sent off and they then went on to win from there.

“We defended well as a unit and everyone played together but we did not get what we deserved.”

Stanway have now only taken one point from their last 15 in the league and will be hoping to arrest their premier division slide in their next outing in the local derby at Tiptree United on Saturday.

Bate added: “We can’t keep saying our performances have been decent and not picking up points.

“We need to be putting points on the board.”