PURTON were left to rue a number of missed chances in their 2-0 Hellenic League Division One West clash with Easington Sports.

With several players unavailable, including hitman Blaine Fitzgerald, the Church Street side were made to pay by their visitors.

Chris Pethick’s men also struggled to deal with the height and strength of Easington at the set piece where both of their goals came from.

Ben Milner gave the visitors the lead early in the first half when Purton failed to deal with a free-kick from the edge of their area allowing their skipper to tuck the ball away.

The eighth placed side doubled their advantage midway through the second period when Niall Higgins’ free-kick sailed home.

“It was debatable whether that was a free-kick,” said Purton midfielder Dave Gee. “There were a number of decisions that were shocking, but we just had to get on with it.

“They were a big tall side and we just couldn’t cope with them at the set pieces and that is frustrating.

“Our performance wasn’t the greatest but we have been badly affected by the long break after Christmas.”

With a number of starters missing, Gee felt that, although the players coming to deputised performed admirably, Purton were lacking a cutting edge.

“We created a number of chances,” he said. “But without Blaine we couldn’t put them away.

“It just goes to show that when you are under-strength at this level you will struggle.”

Purton have had a stop-start season due to the wet season since Christmas and while the squad will be back to full strength this weekend, they are without a match.

“It is frustrating when it happens like this,” Gee added. “It seems that everything is conspiring against us.”