DEJECTED Ian Hutchinson felt his players had “let themselves down” in yesterday’s spiritless 2-0 defeat at Gillingham Town.

Second-half strikes by Ben Thomson and player-manager Adrian Foster leapfrogged the Gills above Bridport into 11th in Toolstation Western League Division One.

Hutchinson was particularly scathing about his side’s display after half-time, which he labelled “the most disappointing” since taking the reins.

With four games to play – starting against Bradford Town tomorrow night – the Bees are in danger of not achieving their top-10 target.

The rookie boss said: “They have let themselves down: I said I don’t want the season to end in a damp squib but after that performance it’s worrying.

“There was not one ounce of passion out there aside from Darren Lock and Ryan Hayter and the other players need to look at those two.”

Kicking down the Harding’s Lane slope in the opening period, the Bees failed to maximise the conditions with keeper Simon Halstead rarely called into action.

Dan Wise unfurled a couple of trademark firecrackers and Matt Condliffe hit the bar but, echoing the draw at Wells, the lack of a killer pass undermined their endeavour.

The major talking point came on the half-hour mark when stopper Lee Cuff charged out of his area and collided with Thomson. Cuff lay clutching his head before receiving a caution from the referee, who was berated by a partisan crowd that believed sterner punishment should have been issued.

Eight minutes after the restart Gary Bulman’s ill-timed stumble allowed the deadly Thomson space to drill the ball across Cuff to break the deadlock.

And when Foster polished off a dynamic move that was spearheaded by Thomson late on, the destination of the points was settled.

Bees: Cuff, Bulman (McClements 84), C Clarke, Hayter, Lock, Coggins, Senior, Wise, Evans, A Clarke, Condliffe (Herbst 71).

Subs not used: Mason

Booked: Cuff, Bulman, A Clarke

Bees’ Man of the Match (sponsored and donated by the supporters): Ryan Hayter

Attendance: 92