Ebbsfleet United manager Steve Brown was upset by his side’s second-half performance as they conceded three goals at home in defeat to Gosport Borough.

After an even first-half, Fleet goalkeeper Brandon Hall’s mistake was the catalyst for a second-half collapse in which Gosport demonstrated why they are the form team in the Conference South.

Brown revealed he was disappointed in how his side reacted to going behind.

“I thought we had a good first-half,” he said.

“We had a header cleared off the line, a Shane Huke header, a Kenny Clark chance and then a break where there was a cut back to Dean Rance but he dragged it wide.

“I felt we had the better of the first half, funnily enough.

“It was tight, don’t get me wrong, but in terms of chances created, I felt we edged it.

“But you need to take one of those opportunities as you’re up against a very, very good unit that haven’t lost away from home.

“They’ve five wins, two draws away from home and you can see why tonight.

Brown added: “I got in at half-time and I could not see the second-half ending like that, I’ve got to be honest.

“It was a very tight game and I thought it would continue to be tight, but it was a very uncharacteristic mistake that led to the first goal.

“It’s one of the oldest clichés in the game that goals do change games and it seemed to knock the stuffing out of us and buoy them. I think we panicked and tried to get back into the game too quickly.

“The mentality of the players, where we control the ball and pass it quite well, went out the window and we tried to get the ball from back to front too quickly.

“Then we gave away a second, which is a killer blow when you’re up against a team that’s on a good run of form.

“We became even more desperate, so it was uncomfortable viewing in the second 45, to be honest.

“The players are devastated in there tonight as they knew it was an opportunity to put a result on the board and throw us right back up the table.”

Despite the defeat, which moves the Fleet below Gosport in the table, Brown backed his players to bounce back quickly.

He said: “It’s a really tight league this year and no one’s run away with it.

“We’re disappointed to have dropped points tonight, but we’re still up and around the right area.

“We were second not long ago, but the thing is with this league is, put three four wins together and you’re right back on the coat-tails of the leaders, if not with them.

“That’s what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to be positive and look to that next league game away to Maidenhead and look to get three points back on the board.

“If you’re looking for positives, we’ve not lost away from home in the last five, with three wins and two draws, and we’ll be looking to extend that and get points back on the board as quick as we can.”

Brown’s men first host Hendon in the FA Trophy on Saturday before travelling to Maidenhead a week later.

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt