DAVE Webb says Merthyr are ‘the best side’ Supermarine have played in Division One South & West this season after his troops were defeated 3-2 last night.

Three headed goals put paid to the South Marston outfit’s challenge and ensured that Merthyr gained the upper hand in the play-off race. And Marine boss Webb was impressed with what the Welsh side had to offer at Penydarren Park.

“Merthyr are a good side that are well-organised and have a lot of experience,” he said.

“They will push who does win the league, if it isn’t them. They have got the resources and have quality players. There’s no weak link.

“From what I’ve seen, they are the best side we’ve played, although we haven’t played Poole yet.”

Webb felt Marine were unfortunate not to return to Wiltshire with a point yesterday evening, and blamed missed chances.

“I’m disappointed to lose because I felt we definitely could have got something from the game, but I’m not disappointed with the players,” he said.

“They have been terrific and you could see the disappointment in the dressing room after the game.

“But it’s one game and it won’t win or lose us anything. Now it’s about starting another run in the next few games.

“We’re not being quite as clinical as we were when we were on the 10-game winning streak. It’s about taking chances at vital times because that can swing things.”

Josh Parsons had a goal ruled out for offside early on last night and Ash Edenborough skied a Danny Hilder cross.

Craig Curtis might also have converted a Hilder cross but failed to make a connection with the ball.

A deflected Ryan Prosser effort had keeper Kent Kauppinen beaten but whistled just past the post, with the subsequent corner nodded wide.

Another Marine chance went begging when Parsons nodded straight at the Merthyr stopper and the visitors were punished shortly after, Jamie Rewbury heading in the opener from a corner.

The lead was doubled six minutes after the break when Prosser nodded in Garyn Preen’s centre.

The Wiltshire outfit pulled one back just after the hour from the penalty spot, as Dave Bampton was fouled in the area and Parsons duly converted from 12 yards.

Parsons had a gilt-edged chance to draw Marine level on 74 minutes but slid agonisingly wide.

And with Dave Webb’s men pushing for a goal late on, Marcus Griffiths went up the other end and headed in a third goal.

Edenborough netted in the closing seconds when he tucked away after the stopper failed to hold a well-struck shot.