‘I can’t accept a lack of effort’ – Baffins boss Wilkinson furious after fourth successive defeat at Fleet Town

Despite a spirited performance in a 2-1 midweek loss at Horndean, boss Shaun Wilkinson was looking for his changed Rovers side to bounce back at Calthorpe Park.

What he got was a lethargic, lackadaisical opening 45 minutes which saw his side enter the break 2-0 down.

'I was fuming with our first half performance,' said Wilkinson.

'I can accept a lack of quality and mistakes but I can't accept a lack of effort.

'Too many players were walking or jogging about and didn't look as if they wanted to be there.'

The second half didn't start much better, despite his half-time talk, and within five minutes he brought on all three subs at once.

George Way, Kurt Watts and Adam Brice were all handed their first starts of the season. And Watts was slipped through early on by Way only to be foiled by advancing keeper Harry Nash.

The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute when Brad Passfield was allowed to rise and head home a corner.

Minutes later and a free-kick from Leo Decabo had Charlie Searle scrambling across his goal before the effort went just wide.

Only Searle stopped Oram doubling the hosts’ lead when he got the slightest of touches to divert a shot behind.

There was nothing Searle could do, however, to prevent Matt Pearse slotting home from close range in the 38th minute.

On the stroke of half-time Pearse was only denied his second by the woodwork - his lob seeing Searle desperately back-pedalling before the ball hit the top of the crossbar.

Wilkinson threw on Rudi Blankson, Billy Connor and Charlie Williamson, for Tyler Moret, Watts and Brice, shortly after the restart

The changes brought an improvement and Baffins began to create openings.

Tommy Scutt sent a header just wide and Blankson saw his effort rebound back off the post into the 'keeper's hands.

Blankson and Callum Dart also went close before Searle aggravated a groin injury in deflecting a Thomas effort wide.

Baffins Milton: Searle, Sharp, Emeney, Way, Warren, Brice (Williamson), Scutt, Cowan, Moret (Blankson), Dart, Watts (Connor).