STEVE Claridge is refusing to panic after Weymouth suffered their second successive Nation-wide Conference South defeat of the season last night against Newport County.

The Terras player-boss was left cursing his luck after watching his side concede two goals in the last 15 minutes at Spytty Park.

A penalty kick from Jason Bowen and a Carl Wilson-Denis goal after he charged down goalkeeper Jason Matthews clearance in the final minute gave the home side the points and left the hotly-tipped Dorset outfit still searching for their first win of the new season.

Claridge, who failed a pre-match fitness test and was replaced in the starting line-up by Chukki Eribene, felt aggrieved not to pick up the three points. "We didn't deserve to get beat, it is simple as that," he said.

"Defensively we haven't started the season too well but last night we created enough chances to win the game.

"The penalty could have gone either way. The referee felt that our defender Nathan Bunce had tugged on one of their player's shirts in the box.

"Sometimes you see them given and sometimes not.

"When the luck is going with you the referee waves play on, when it's going against you as it is for us at the moment, he points to the penalty spot."

The Terras had begun their South Wales battle well and Ian Hutchinson should have put them ahead after County keeper Roger Freestone could only parry Paul Buckle's effort early in the first half.

However, the former Halifax midfielder saw his shot flash across the goal mouth which was typical of the visitors' luck.

Claridge added: "I can take heart from the fact that we created plenty of chances and it has been two games now that we should have taken something from but for a bit of luck.

"It's not the ideal start to the season but it's early days and we must now buckle down and sorts things out quickly."

The Terras get a chance to put things right when they travel to face a Bognor Regis side in Sussex on Saturday which includes former Wessex Stadium man Luke Nightingale.

"Bognor will be tough", added Claridge. "It's a hard league this year and every game is going to be a test."