Felixstowe manager Stuart Boardley admitted his side were second best for the most part in their win over fellow dock town Tilbury.

Although it was painful to watch, the Seasiders still managed to come oit on top after second half goals from Sam Ford and Charlie Warren, to maintain fourth spot in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Tilbury went ahead after five minutes when keeper Callum Robinson dropped a rare clanger by misjudging the bounce of the ball when looking to head clear outside his box. Martin Tuohy could not believe his luck as the ball fell kindly for him and he had the simple task of rolling it home for the opener.

Despair for Tilbury after Charlie Warren's last minute winner

From then on Felixstowe looked stilted, never found their rhythm and were second best all over the pitch.

Boardley admitted "We made very hard work of it. We had one of those days where were two or three yards off all over the pitch , which was unlike us.

"I have known us be so placid in the way we played and the way we defended.

"Obviously the early goal gave them a foothold in the game and something to hold on to

"If you give any team that then it is going to be a tough nut to crack."

Callum Robinson made rare mistake

He said: "Callum has been great for us. He made a good save just before that and he has kept us in games all season.

"It was one of those things and you have to accept keepers make mistakes, especially when he is being asked to play so high and mop things up. The boys have dug him out of a hole today."

The boss was less forgiving of his players, apart from one, and he picked out the sponsors' man of the match Henry Blackburn, standing in at right back for the injured Callum Bennett.

"Tilbury were better than us, no excuses," said Boardley "We had too many lads that were five out of 10s across the park.

"Not enough were wanting to make difference. However, Henry was exceptional and did a great job at right back."

Sam Ford pokes in equaliser

Boardley admitted he was at a loss to explain why his usually fluid and threatening team were so below par.

"If I knew that I would not be managing Felixstowe and Walton, it was not like us," he said. "I said to them at half time to go and try and effect the game."

Boardley did not believe recent defeats at promotion rivals Sudbury and Lowestoft were a factor, given how well they performed.

He added: "We played well against both of them, so I don't think it was a lack of confidence, we were just not physically up to the game."

The Seasiders took their formidable home form to seven straight league wins at the AGL Stadium, and after away games at Hullbridge and Heybridge, entertain Witham Town on Saturday, December 3.

Noel Aitkens over the bar