ALEX LUMSDEN blamed the cobwebs of inactivity as a mitigating factor in Slimbridge's frustrating 3-2 defeat at Winchester City, writes Rob Peck.

Assistant manager Lumsden felt a three-week break cost the Swans as their six-game unbeaten run came to a halt, he said: "What a frustrating day. First half - some of the best football I’ve seen us play, but the first 20 minutes of the second half - we went missing and lost the game. Coming back after three weeks was always going to be tough, but we’ve had a great run."

Earlier, Winchester took a 5th-minute, Jamie Barron, picking up the ball inside the Slimbridge box, and firing the ball into the net through the hands of Lewis Adams.

On 15 minutes however Slimbridge netted parity. Sol Wanjau-Smith was pushed just inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot and Wanjau-Smith sent the keeper the wrong way.

On the half-hour mark Daniel King flashed a cross through the Slimbridge box fortunately there was nobody running in to get on the end of it. Three minutes later the Swans took the lead, Wanjau-Smith picking up the ball on the left and bent it around keeper Pryce from the corner of the box hitting the back of the net via the far post.

A few minutes later Jack Horrell's free-kick was just too high for Christien Turner at the far post as Slimbridge looked for a third goal. A good move from the back down the left flank three minutes before half time saw Myron Turner link up with Ryan Beckinsale whose cross was blocked for a corner.

Early in the second half King forced a close range save out of Adams as the home side bossed the midfield. Hill after playing a one-two with Oliver Bailey turned and fired wide with the Swans defence beaten.

The home side eventually got back on level terms on 61 minutes with a great passing move from the middle, Bailey and Hill linking up to skip through the defence and feed Robert Carr who scored past Adams from close range.

A third for the visitors arrived five minutes later as the Swans started to tire Bailey’s free-kick was initially save by Adams but a scramble around the keeper saw Hill poke the ball home.

On the stroke of full-time Christien Turner did well to clear off the line with Adams stranded.

This week Slimbridge travel to Bristol Manor Farm on Tuesday evening before welcoming league new-boys Willand Rovers to Thornhill Park next Saturday.

Slimbridge: Adams, Ford, Peck, D Turner Chambers 80), White, C Turner, Horrell (Sarson 69), Beckinsale (Dunbar 69), M Turner, Price, Wanjau-Smith

Unused subs: Pring, Maye

Att 164

Supporters' man of the match: Myron Turner