Tonbridge Angels manager Alan Dunne’s verdict on their 1-0 derby defeat by Maidstone United in National League South

Alan Dunne was gracious in defeat after Tonbridge were edged by Maidstone in their local derby on Tuesday night.

Former Angels forward Tom Leahy scored the only goal at Longmead as United moved three points clear at the top of National League South.

His cracking strike 10 minutes from time settled an entertaining match in front of a big crowd of 2,260 and Dunne felt there was an air of inevitability as Leahy returned to his old club.

Leahy joined Maidstone over the summer, with Sam Corne, Jephte Tanga, Lexus Beeden and goalkeeper Nathan Harness moving in the other direction. All five players started.

“It was always going to be something like that, one of the ex-players scoring, for us or for them, and it happened to be Tom Leahy,” said Tonbridge manager Dunne.

“It was a great finish, a fantastic goal, and we know he’s got that in him. He’ll go home pleased and we’ll have to suck it up and move on and deal with it because the season goes on.

“It wasn’t our night but this isn’t going to define our season.

“We wish Maidstone well and congratulate them on their win.”

The outcome might have been different had Tonbridge taken one of their first-half chances, while Dunne felt a Frankie Baker goal, which was ruled out for offside, should have counted.

It wasn’t to be, however, and they finished empty-handed after Leahy picked up a pass from Leone Gravata and cut inside before thumping the ball past Harness from outside the area.

“I’m gutted to lose and I didn’t think we deserved to lose,” said Dunne. “I thought we controlled it and had the better chances.

“But if you don’t take your chances in football you leave yourself open. The boys put everything into it, we just couldn’t get the ball over the line.

“I felt if the offside