Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith was disappointed with his side’s performance after they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Southall in the Isthmian League South Central Division.

Goals from Lucias Vine and William Montague were enough to give the visitors the three points at Westfield Lane.

"We're disappointed,” said Smith. “I didn't think we turned up in the first half. A lot of boys were dwelling on the ball, getting caught and getting robbed.

“They set up well. They had a plan and swarmed us when we had the ball but the boys were taking too much time on it, which is disappointing.

“We're asking them to move the ball quicker. It's always hard to tell whether it's because they did well or we weren't good enough, but I didn't feel we turned up in the first half.

“We had a little bit of a go in the second half. We had a lot of territory and a lot of possession, but couldn't do anything with it.

“We got done with a goal where I don't feel we put it in to track the runner. They showed the desire to defend, wanted a clean sheet and wanted to win the game of football. It was no different to Chertsey. They didn't have to do anything special to win the game – they dogged it out and showed the quality when it was needed.

“We're disappointed with our forward boys – especially in the first half I didn't think they turned up. They gave the ball away a lot and couldn't beat their men. Maybe their defenders are better than what they're used to coming up against. I'm not sure because I've seen them do it against every other team.

“In the second half we still didn't really test the keeper. We had a corner that they defended well. They put their bodies in front of people and did the basics of football better than we did.”

Smith was encouraged by his side’s improved showing in the second half.

"They always seem to respond at half-time to something that happens,” said Smith. “Ultimately it's down to their decision-making when they go out there, their speed of thought and what they want to do.

“Maybe Southall were tired in the second half. I don't think they looked that fit but they beat us convincingly so it puts into question what we're doing. We've shown the qualities throughout the season but it just didn't happen.”

Southall are pushing for a play-off finish this season, and Smith felt the visitors managed the game well.

"They're streetwise,” said Smith. “I don't want to make excuses but we are quite a young group. They've got a few leaders out there who pull everyone through. We haven't quite got that. We want to play football but it doesn't always work. It definitely didn't work against Southall and it hasn't worked against Chertsey so it's something we need to think about. Maybe we need another way to play in those games. Can we do something different?”

Smith brought Dwayne Clarke and Kai Allsopp on to try to get back into the game against Southall.

"I felt that Babs Dehghani didn't look himself in midfield and Kai's good at getting the ball on the half-turn,” said Smith. “I thought he might be able to drive forward and get on the ball. It didn't quite happen. Nothing came off and it's the final quality in the final third.”

The Baggies face a busy end to the season, and Smith admits he will need all of his squad for the run-in.

"It's going to be busy,” said Smith. “The disappointing thing is you're taking players out of the team to put fresh legs out rather than dropping people for their performances. I said to the players at half-time if it was Saturday to Saturday some of them would be losing their place as they haven't done enough.

“Maybe they know that there's a lot of games and we're going to mix it up anyway. They'd soon be disappointed if they weren't starting. It is a tough time but you can overthink it and ultimately we just weren't good enough against Southall."