Haywards Heath Town boss Saunders - We got what we deserved
Josh Spinks was sent off during the loss which left Saunders hugely disappointed.
The dismissal of Spinks proved to be the turning point in the game after he was shown a second yellow card in the 63rd minute after a foul on the halfway line.
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Hide AdPhoenix made the extra man pay and scored the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute thanks to a Lauris Chin strike from the right-hand side which found the far corner.
After the game Haywards Heath Town boss Saunders admitted his disappointment with the defeat but made no excuses for his side’s performance.
He said: “I’m very disappointed. We’ve been in some real good form of late and saw this game as an opportunity to make up some ground on the pack.
“We were wasteful in front of goal and got caught on the counter, but I’ve got no qualms about the result, we got what we deserved.”
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Hide AdSaunders also admitted that Spinks’ sending off was crucial in the outcome of the game.
He added: “It massively affected the game. He’s a big player for us.
"When you lose one of your centre-halves you know it affects everybody. Had Josh not been sent off we might have got a better result.”
Heath now sit 12 points off the play-off places, but Saunders is still hopeful that his side can make a charge for the spot.
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Hide AdHe said: “Nothing is done and dusted. Until it’s mathematically not possible we will keep chasing.”
Heath face struggling Ramsgate away this weekend and Saunders added: “We know it’s not going to be easy but we’ve got this attitude where we take it one game at a time.”