THE timing of their goals was crucial as we were 2-0 up and cruising only to concede just before and just after half-time.

For 40 minutes in the first half it was one-way traffic and how a penalty was not given when 'Browner' was tripped in the area I will never know.

Having said that, after getting back in front again, we should have been able to kill the game off.

To give away an equaliser three minutes from time made it feel like a defeat. But we were not beaten, we are third in the league and still in the Cup, so I have to be pleased overall.

Also, I think we have played teams that I expected to be in the mix this season. Gosport were a big, strong side and better than they were last year, while I don't think we have reached where we want to be just yet.

On Saturday, I never felt happy that we were settled defensively. Of course, it is always going to be difficult to be without your captain (Neil Griffiths) and Reidy. We missed two of our leaders.

The first two goals were down to individual mistakes but I am not going to dwell on them. We have a good set of honest lads who put in a full shift.

Last year we perhaps had more flair, but we definitely had a softer underbelly.

Jody worked incredibly hard again and his goals will come. He does the running for the other two up front and it is encouraging that we are already among the highest scorers in the league.

Neil Griffiths hopes to have recovered from a nasty knee injury in time for the FA Cup game against North Leigh on Sunday and Reidy will be back, too.

Ryan Parker, from Cinderford, should have joined the club by then, although he is Cup-tied and will play no part against North Leigh.

There is some turmoil over the management team leaving Cinderford and we like Ryan because he would bring us the pace that would be lacking if Carl Brown was ever sidelined.

We are also working to get Matt Sysum back to the club. He did well in his previous loan spell from Gloucester City. He has been offered to us for a month but that is not what we want. However, I would take him permanently without a doubt.

Of course, if these players sign, then one or two would have to be going the other way.