CAPTAIN GRAHAM HITS OUT AT UNDER PERFORMING LACKLUSTRE LINGERS

The experienced ex-Northern Ireland Under 21 international launched a scathing attack in his programme notes as Lingfield suffered another demoralising home defeat this time against third from bottom Lancing.

Graham said: “Well what can we say about the last five games? I would probably say lacklustre!!!

“We have been lacking an out and out goal scorer since Foz (Nicky Forster) got injured and it has been no coincidence that our form has slumped since then.

“All of us know we are under performing at the moment and we are the only ones that can put it right. Saturday (Lancing) is a must win against lowly opposition but not to be underestimated but we have the players and belief to go on another good run and start to climb the table again.”

Yet The Lingers never really recovered from trailing again to lively Ryan Waterman’s 39th minute opening goal, firing home a rebound after recalled goalkeeper Rob O’Hara had been unable to foil persistent pressure from the visitors.

An astonishing decision by referee Kevin Roberts, denying Lingfield an apparently blatant penalty after 44 minutes, cautioning Joel O’Hara for simulation when he seemed to have been fouled in the area by George Fenton incensed Dean and his assistant Darren Maziere who both confronted the official on half-time.

Worse was to follow for the hosts, who continued to contrive countless missed chances, trailing 2-0 on 56 minutes as Wayne Joseph got through at the near post and beat O’Hara from 16 yards.

An increasingly familiar story received a jolt six minutes later when midfielder Daryl Coleman drilled home an unstoppable free-kick inside the far post past goalkeeper James Shaw from around the edge of the box.

But lowly Lancing sealed success effectively after 80 minutes through Charlie Romain’s penalty, just beating the unlucky O’Hara from the resultant spot-kick after Waterman evaded centre-back Jay Kalama before being caught in an apparent sandwich of Dean Carden and substitute Johnathan Soares in the box.

Coleman contrived to miss an 87th minute Lingfield penalty, his uncharacteristically woefully weak spot-kick being saved easily by Shaw after the custodian had fouled lively substitute striker Joel Amos in the area.

But Amos had the last word on this sorry encounter, celebrating a surging run by beating Shaw inside the far post, shooting home his consolation goal in the second of four additional minutes.

Finally, a special mention to talented left back Dan Frith who impressed again with two crucial clearances, but overall it was all too little too late Lingers.

By David Groves