Knight: Havant must cut out errors after Chichester defeatÂ

The Hooks Lane outfit fell to a 39-32 defeat '“ meaning they have lost their opening six matches this term.

To make matters worse, captain Joel Knight was sent off three minutes from full-time. 

Will Knight felt Havant had enough possession to pick up a maiden victory of the campaign.

But he admitted his side's errors proved costly and were punished by Chichester.

'˜We are struggling to find confidence and consistency,' said the coach. 

'˜It is frustrating because we played all the rugby.

'˜Unfortunately we kept gifting the ball to Chichester and that is not the way to win league matches.

'˜The rugby we played was good enough to win the game.

'˜When we had the ball we looked dangerous but, ultimately, it is what's on the scoreboard that counts.

'˜We have got to stop making careless errors and conceding soft tries.

'˜The players came away feeling very frustrated because they didn't get the rub of the green with some decisions.

'˜To make matters worse, we can now expect to be without our captain for a number of weeks.'

Chichester opened up a 10-point lead before Joel Knight put the visitors on the scoreboard with a penalty.

Havant then hit back to trail 20-13 at half-time, with tries from Wayne Dugan and Jerome Trail.

However, poor line-out work in the opening minutes of the second period allowed Chichester in for another try.

The visitors' response was effective as they levelled, with further tries from Joe Davis and Dugan's second of the match.

In a dramatic final 15 minutes Havant spilled the ball in a tackle to concede another try.

Joel Knight, however, powered his way over the line to put his side back within two points.

In the closing stages Chichester scored a contentious try from a Havant scrummage.

At the same time, Joel Knight and a home prop forward were both sent off after the former retaliated to a punch.

All of Havant's defeats have been away from home due to ground work at Hooks Lane.

It could be November before Havant can play league match on their own patch. 

Will Knight did not expect playing on the road every week to be so difficult. 

'˜I don't think we realised just how demanding playing away every week would be,' he added.

'˜When you are losing it just makes it harder.

'˜In six games we have used more than 40 players.

'˜This is already going to be our most bizarre season ever.

'˜After Christmas we could be playing all our games bar one at home.

I look at it as short-term pain for long-term gain.

'At the moment it is a bit tough, though.'