TIME is running out for under-performing Weymouth to turn around their poor start to the season.

That's the verdict of manager Steve Claridge after his ten- man Terras suffered a third defeat in six Nationwide South games at Hornchurch yesterday.

The player-boss's first half penalty cancelled out Lee Matthews' early header, before striker Wayne Purser won the contest moments later for the ambitious Essex side.

And Claridge admitted Weymouth, who had keeper Jason Matthews sent off for a professional foul late on, have it all to do after this latest setback.

He said: "The bottom line is we're not a bad side but our results are just not showing it at the moment.

"We have good players in the squad but the story of our season so far is us making mistakes that are punished.

"We knew it would be a difficult task to come to Hornchurch because they are rightly considered favourites for the title.

"But considering all the possession we enjoyed, particularly after the break, I'm disappointed we haven't come away with at least a point.

"What has cost us is collective mistakes at the back and also lacking that little bit of extra quality needed to break through at the other end.

"I'm afraid that I'm starting to sound like a broken record but it always seems to be the same old story.

"We took a bit of a hammering early on but did well to get back on terms with my penalty half way through the first half.

"Then we're back behind before you know with another preventable goal.

"Once we got our foot on the ball we started to show what we are made of but, like I said, we did not have that quality needed to get an equaliser.

"We simply cannot go on losing games if we are to achieve what we want to achieve this season.

"I fully expect Hornchurch to be up there at the end of the season given the squad they have and money available to them.

"But despite this defeat, we've still got plenty to play for as long as we put right the mistakes and before it is too late."

Claridge suffered another blow with keeper Matthews set to receive at least a one-match ban after being sent off for a professional foul.

The gloveman was adjudged to have hauled down substitute Jean Michel Sigere in the closing moments. But the former Exeter City number one was furious with referee Mark Ives after it appeared defender Robbie Pethick had committed the offence.

Pethick escaped unpunished, took over the gloves and saved the resulting penalty from Damon Searle.

Claridge said: "Losing Jason will be yet another blow and it seems like they are coming one after another at the moment. The incident was caused by another mistake and we've contributed to our own downfall yet again.

"I'm not sure exactly what happened or who did what but it's happened now and there's nothing we can do about it but accept the decision."