DEFEAT to Hornchurch was 'not a step backwards,' Weymouth boss Mark Molesley has insisted.

The 1-0 defeat in the capital was the Terras their first loss in the league since defeat to Enfield at the beginning of October, a run that stretches back six games, including five draws and one win. 

Speaking after the game, he said: "This certainly isn't a step backwards in any shape or form.

"We started really brightly, had chances and our issue today was a couple of times they countered us a little bit too easy and that's what happened for the goal.

"We were in the ascendency, we were banging on the door and maybe we just got sidetracked a little bit and got a little bit excited by our start and opened the back door a little bit."

Molesley pointed out that the manner in which they conceded against Hornchurch was a 'nasty reminder' that they need to take advantage when they are on top in games - much like it was earlier in the season.

He added: "That is something which was a tell at the start of the season where we unfortunately concede when we're in good moments and good passages and that's probably happened again.

"It's a nasty reminder for us that if when we are free flowing and things are going well we have to make sure that we are fully locked out and have the right balance behind the ball as well as in front of the ball."

Chances did fall for Tom Bearwish and Calvin Brooks in the second half though, and things could have been different if those opportunities had been taken, something Molesley admitted was probably the difference come full time.

He said: "Once they had that 1-0 lead it was going to be difficult and we were guilty of missing two huge chances in the second half and they were guilt edge chances there is no hiding from that.

"We probably just rushed those efforts at the vital time and they got their goal and we didn't and the game just ground away from both teams."

There will be no time for Molesley or his players to dwell on the weekend though, with the visit of second place Truro coming to the Bob Lucas tonight.

On tonight's game, Molesley added: "We have to lick our wounds, we have not tasted defeat for a while so it hurts and we're frustrated, but good news is we have got Tuesday straight away and hopefully we have different conditions and we can hopefully put our game on them

"It is another really tough test coming, Truro are flying high but we can freshen things up if we need to."