STEVE Riley found it hard to criticise his AFC Totton troops in the wake of Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by promotion-hunting Evesham United.

Even with a full squad at their disposal, it would not have been easy afternoon against a side sitting third in the Southern One South & West.

But Totton’s task was made all the tougher by having goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe ruled out by a shoulder injury and the experienced Nathaniel Sherborne also sidelined.

With Mowthorpe replaced by 17-year-old Pat O’Flaherty, loaned from AFC Bournemouth, and Liam Gilbert returning to midfield, Totton coped well with those changes, however.

For 45 minutes they went toe-to-toe with their high-riding visitors, going in 1-1 at half-time.

But Evesham turned on the class in a strong start to the second half and the Stags never quite recovered.

“It wasn’t a 4-1 game,” said manager Riley, pictured below.

“We went 1-0 down (to Ashley Edenborough’s seventh-minute goal) but got ourselves back into it when Taylor Edwards headed home Mike Gosney’s corner.

“We played really well in the first half and competed with them. Looking at all the performances, I can’t criticise anyone.”

Evesham regained the lead through Edenborough in the 58th minute and, after Craig Feeney had spurned a possible equaliser, disaster struck for the Stags in the 64th minute.

George Washbourne got a shot away which O’Flaherty did well to parry, but it went straight into the path of Matt Sysum who made it 3-1.

Totton’s Zac Mouland missed a glorious chance to reduce the deficit one-one-one – his shot bypassing both Evesham’s former Salisbury City goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer and the post.

As United went for the jugular, O’Flaherty kept out Nick Stanley’s fierce shot, but the Cherries teenager was beaten on 78 minutes when Jarred Wilson sank the visitors’ fourth.

Totton kept going with Billy Lowes firing over on the turn on 88 minutes before Sawyer denied Mouland at the death.

“The two goals at the start of the second half took the wind out of our sails and we were disappointed with the manner we conceded them,” Riley admitted.

“If Zac had scored at 3-1 we could have had a grandstand finish, but Evesham went up the other end and were clinical with their fourth.”

After a spectacular start to the new year, Totton’s play-off hopes have faded – four defeats and a draw dropping them to 14th.

“It’s been a tough few weeks and we’ve got fourth-placed Stratford away to come (tomorrow) and the leaders Merthyr at home on Saturday,” said Riley.

“Evesham had more know-how, experience and game management than us, but we’re competing and creating chances and I’ve told the lads to keep their heads up.”