TREVOR Senior is backing his troops to battle out of their recent slump in the Toolstation Western Pre-mier Division.

The Bees’ latest setback came at Willand Rovers on Saturday where they failed to make the most of their opportunities in a frustrating 4-0 defeat.

Ryan Draper produced several fine saves to keep Bridport at bay in the clash and Senior was determined to focus on the positives afterwards.

The Bridport boss, whose side are now winless in five in the league, said: “We just seem to be lacking confidence at the moment and nothing appears to be going our way.

“It was never a 4-0 game but once again we did not score when we had the chances to and they punished us.

“It’s frustrating for everyone at the minute and I really felt for the lads afterwards but all we can do is just stick at it and try and get through this spell.

“Although we are looking up from a lowly position in the league, it is still tight and a couple of wins could easily move us up four or five places.

“We just need that win to come sooner rather than later because the longer this run goes on the harder it is going to get.”

The loss at Silver Street has left the Bees third-bottom in the Toolstation Western Premier Division, just one point above the bottom two.

Reflecting on the encounter in more detail, Senior went on to add: “We began well with Michael Hailu, in his first start, forcing Ryan Draper into a good early save.

“Everything seemed to be going fine but then Ryan Hayter lost his footing, which allowed one of their lads to get past him and set up someone for an easy finish to make it 1-0.

“Every time we got the ball behind them we caused them problems but they then got another one 10 minutes before half-time with a half-volley from the edge of the box that gave Sam Filkins no chance.

Just before the break, Chris Luke then got in behind them and sent over a cross which Ryan Dovell met with a diving header but somehow Draper kept the ball out again with an unbelievable save.

“Goals change games and had that gone in, it would have given us the lift we needed but they then went on to get a third in the second half when the ball looped over Sam from close to the byline.

“Dean Ritchie was then denied by another really good save before they grabbed their fourth with a shot from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner.

“It was a disappointing defeat but Max and Sam Buckler both played well as did Michael and Russell Legg. We just need that one win to turn things around.”

Next up for the Bees is a trip to Melksham Town on Saturday. Chris Clarke remains sidelined with a thigh injury but Matt Condliffe should return after missing the Willand clash through illness.

Bees (from): S Filkins, J Filkins (Morgan 70), Hailu, M Buckler, S Buckler, Hayter, Luke, Wise, Dovell, Ritchie (Gale 70), Legg.