TREVOR Senior reckons the Bees are not far away from challenging the best the Western League has to offer.

Bridport, without star striker Ryan Dovell, outplayed Premier Division leaders Larkhall Ath-letic for long periods on Saturday but eventually fell to a 4-1 defeat – a result that did not reflect the game, according to their boss.

Senior, whose side went into the game on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league, said: “Larkhall are now unbeaten in 19 league games but as Saturday showed they are not streets ahead of us.

“We proved that we are not that far away and, on another day, we might well have got something from it.

“We were certainly more than a match for them and for long periods played the better football.”

The Bees, who host Bitton this Saturday (3pm), went behind in the second minute when Ryan Hayter gave away a penalty, which was duly converted.

Darren Watts then capitalised on a dominant spell by the visitors to square the game up again before two goals in the space of a couple of minutes put the Larks 3-1 up at half-time.

Despite that double blow the Bees went on to dominate the second half, only to concede again and lose goalkeeper Sam Filkins to a straight red card.

Senior added: “After the break we were pretty much camped in their half.

“Matt Condliffe and Dan Wise both threatened before Matt Morley went close with a volley.

“Either side of the keeper and it would have gone in but instead it went straight at him.

“Matt Condliffe then had another effort saved before they killed it on 80 minutes with another header at the far post.

“To make matters worse, Sam then came out to clear a headed back-pass, only to miss the ball and catch their player instead.

“The referee showed him a straight red card but we felt that was a bit harsh.

“Not only was the game over at that point but we felt Shane and Jamie Filkins were round covering anyway.

“The fact we are going to lose Sam through suspension now is a blow and, overall the game, was just a bit disappointing.”

The Bees now lie 10th in the league on the same points as Bitton, who hold two games in hand.

Bees: S Filkins, J Filkins (Hill 84), Condliffe, Evans, Watts, Hayter, Luke, Wise, Richardson, M Buckler, Morley (Staines 68). Sub not used: C Clarke.