ILMINSTER Town manager Darren Manley bemoaned a return to the ‘bad old days’ as the Blues produced a disjointed defensive display in a 2-1 league defeat by Bridgwater Town reserves on Saturday.

Ilminster’s good recent run has been based on a sound defence and prior to the weekend they had conceded just two goals in their previous three matches.

But with four players missing – including regular striker Chris Rutter who was injured in the warm-up – the Blues failed to gel defensively.

Manley said: “It was very disappointing because we have been defending very well but we completely lost our shape.

“Although we led 1-0 at the interval the signs were there and although we spoke about it at half-time we couldn’t seem to change.

“There were a few young lads who came in but they did really, really well. I was more disappointed with the lads that have been here longer.

“There will definitely be a lot of work on our defending at training this week.”

Taylor Jefferson gave Ilminster the lead a minute before half-time with a side-foot shot following a great cross by Alex Paul.

But in Manley’s words they ‘failed to get going in the second half’ and contined to look vulnerable at the back.

It was no surprise therefore that Bridgwater managed to snatch the points, even though they only had two decent chances in the whole of the 45 minutes.

This Saturday the Blues entertain Nailsea United who have made a decent start to the season with four wins and three draws from nine matches.

But Manley will take heart from the fact that they lost 4-2 at home to strugglers Stockwood Green last weekend.

Ilminster: Wayne Lewis; Paul Retter, Luke Paul, Jonny May, Craig Stuckey; Taylor Jefferson, Alex Paul, Brad Miles, Tom Flynn; Richard Crabb, Chris Nezianya. Subs: Chris Rutter, Darren Manley, Arron Manley.