AFC TOTTON'S Mike Gosney was hospitalised with a mystery virus hours before the opening-day defeat against Hereford.

The Stags star pulled out 24 hours before the first game of the season against the newly-promoted Midland Football League Premier champions – and was readmitted in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Manager Steve Hollick said: “Mike is in hospital, he went in Thursday night and we’re not really sure what’s wrong with him.

“He was taken back in in the early hours of [Saturday] morning. It’s a bit serious with Gos but we’re still awaiting news so we’re not sure how long he’s going to be out for. It’s a virus, we’re just hoping it’s nothing too sinister.”

New signing Curtis Angell made his debut in Gosney’s absence, with schoolboy George Ockwell called up to the squad.

“You don’t want to lose your best players but we certainly won’t use that as an excuse, we’re pretty well covered,” added Hollick.

That said, the left-winger was a big miss against last season’s FA Vase runners- up, who came from behind to win with two goals in eight second-half minutes after a sensational 30th-minute strike by Nick Watts.

Former Sholing man Watts, who was linked with a move away from the Testwood Stadium before signing a new deal in June, curled a left-footer into the top of the far corner from the right flank.

“I think he’s got goal of the season already,” said Hollick “It was a great strike. Nick’s been pretty committed to what we want to do, we’ve just got to try and get the best out of him.”

Hereford equalised with a 49th-minute penalty after a clumsy challenge by Ian Oliver. Rob Purdie dinked the ball down the middle and in the 57th minute striker Ross Staley cut in from the left, evaded a couple of challenges and fired inside Steve Mowthorpe’s right-hand upright.

The closest Totton came to an equaliser on a hot afternoon was when Nathaniel Sherborne clipped the top of the crossbar with a terrific 20-yard strike after debutant Dan Munday broke clear.

Sherborne also had a header cleared off the line when the match was still goalless. But chances were few and far between for the Stags, who were grateful for a couple of late near-post saves by Mowthorpe.

“We defended quite well in the second half but I don’t think we looked after the ball well enough at times and invited pressure,” said Hollick.

“From that point of view it was quite disappointing. Towards the end there was a bit of fatigue and a lack of concentration which is something we need to work on a little harder.

“We’re a fit side so there shouldn’t be any reason for that. But in the last few minutes we looked a bit stretched.”

Hereford were impressive and their fans accounted for more than half of the 731 attendance figure.

But Hollick believes the club, formed only two years ago in the wake of Hereford United’s demise, will have plenty of competition at the top of the Southern One South & West table.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he said.

“They’re a good side and will be up there but I don’t think they’ll get it all their own way.

“There are good sides in this league.

There’s Tiverton and Taunton and Evesham have a strong side this year.”

Totton do not have to wait long for their next league game, at Swindon Supermarine tomorrow night (Tuesday).

Hollick hopes to have midfielder Pedro ‘Pele’ Monteiro available after the former Saints defender suffered a thigh strain on his Stags debut and had to be substituted at half-time.

“Pele felt his quad go a little, but hopefully it’s just a tweak,” added Hollick. “You could see he’s still a good player, he brings every one around him into the game.”

AFC Totton: Mowthorpe, Hibberd, Oliver, Williams, Rolls, Wilson, Watts, Pele (Allen 45) , Munday, Sherborne, Angell. Subs (not used): Silvestre, Hunt, Roberts, Ockwell.

Referee: James Durkin.