Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith saw plenty of positives after his side slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Isthmian League South Central Division leaders Farnham Town.

The Baggies took an early lead at The Memorial Ground through Charlie George’s goal and produced a disciplined performance to push the league leaders.

Smith usually likes his teams to dominate possession, but was happy with how his side adjusted to a different gameplan.

“The gameplan went against our principles in terms of we want to play and we want to keep the ball,” said Smith.

“We decided we'd let Farnham have the ball and try to frustrate them and stay in the game as long as possible and get something on the counter.

“It wasn't pretty. I didn't enjoy and I don't think we showed enough quality when we got the ball.

“That was disappointing because I felt we could have been better when we won it back.

“The lads are young boys and there were a few nerves about which contributed to not keeping the ball very well.

“We didn’t want to capitulate and be out the game so we set up to be hard to beat.

“Farnham got in behind a couple of times with some good balls across the box but I don't think they really tested Ryan North in goal.

“There were two good goals in the first 15 minutes. Charlie’s goal was a quality finish – we've got players who can do that but so have they.

“There's not a lot we could do about the equaliser. We could overanalyse it but it's a really good strike.”

The Baggies reached half-time on level terms at 1-1, and Smith said he told his side to stick to the gameplan in the second half.

“The message at half-time was to carry on what we're doing and frustrate Farnham because they were getting frustrated,” said Smith.

“A lack of communication has given Farnham a set piece they've scored from and they're the things that make the difference.

“They've got the quality to be able to do something but to concede from a set piece was something we didn't want to do.”

Despite being disappointed with the defeat, Smith was happy with the way his side dug in against the league leaders and responded to a 4-0 defeat against Ascot United in their previous match.

“We've come away with a 2-1 defeat and the fans have clapped the boys off – they're a bit more positive about the performance,” said Smith.

“Not that the performance was great but it was dogged and disciplined.

“The boys were in the game because the score was close and we could have got something.

“It was good to see them dig in because the performance against Ascot was probably the worst performance we've had for a while.

“We wanted to react, keep to the gameplan and see if we can take the game right down to the death.

“We could have got a corner or a set piece and if we'd got a point everyone would be buzzing.

“We probably should have gone for it in the last ten minutes.

“I don't think our balls in behind were particularly good all game – we didn't exploit what we wanted to do.

“There was a lack of quality from back to front but I can't knock the effort.”