WEYMOUTH manager Bobby Wilkinson confessed the Terras’ 2-1 defeat at Hemel Hempstead Town left him “hurting”.

For the second consecutive game, Weymouth managed to get themselves in front, Nahum Melvin-Lambert’s header brilliantly saved by Craig King only for Jack Westbrook to put the rebound into his own net.

Weymouth had opportunities for a second goal as Melvin-Lambert and Tom Blair saw shots blocked, while Brad Ash sent a dipping shot onto the roof of the net when through on the right.

However, Hemel turned the scoreline on its head as George Williams volleyed home with nine minutes to go and the Tudors’ midfielder then scored direct from an 89th-minute corner after Zaki Oualah missed his punch.

READ MORE: Hemel Hempstead 2-1 Weymouth - report

The defeat keeps Weymouth in 23rd after the five teams above them also lost, leaving them still two points away from safety with 17 games to go.

Speaking to Echosport, Wilkinson said: “I’m just really hurting that we didn’t win a game of football, really hurting for my players.

“They’ve given me everything and they’re working extremely hard to get us out of this hole we’re in. We’ve been in this hole for a long time.

“We’re digging in and we’re going to keep going for it. Ten days ago we were a bit further off and now we’re two points out.

“You will not achieve anything unless you stay as a group and together. I’m not interested in anything negative, it’s that simple.

“I want everyone to believe we can achieve this.”

Wilkinson felt Weymouth’s good play could have yielded a second goal.

“We should’ve got the second,” he confessed. “We kept going for it and I still believed we’d get the second.

“We didn’t and if you can’t get the second, you can’t let them get two – but they did.

“It’s not that we didn’t have the will to try and get the second, we just didn’t get it.”

Wilkinson revealed Oualah had apologised for his part in the winning goal.

“For 70 minutes we were outstanding at the back and then they scored from a corner. It is Zaki’s fault but he’s been outstanding since he came in,” the Terras’ boss said.

“He’s apologised to the boys. They’ve just floated it in. Frustrating times with certain situations but I back my boys all the way.

“They are closer to getting out (of the drop zone) than they were ten weeks, five, so we’re right there in the mix.”

He added: “He should’ve caught it but he’s missed the punch. He’s made a mistake but he’s been fantastic, I support him all the way.

“Maybe that’s where we are with no luck. When you’re down there you get sucker punches every week.”

Scott Rees was perhaps lucky to avoid red for a dangerous-looking tackle on Arnold Matshazi, studs up and with both feet off the ground.

Rees picked up yellow and Wilkinson agreed with the decision, feeling the challenge merited no harsher punishment despite incensing the Hemel bench.

Wilkinson said: “It was a booking, I know that, but didn’t he manage it really well?

“He didn’t take a second. That was in my mind. Do we continue with him or take him off? He’s a leader, he wants to win and he’s come in and done a brilliant job.

“It’s a silly booking but maybe a booking he had to take. I’m not going to criticise him.”

Hemel also felt Weymouth had persistently time-wasted.

When quizzed on the subject, Wilkinson said: “No, it was just slowing the game down and trying to manage the game.

“We’re away from home. I’m not interested in what they think. We gave our heart and soul.”