Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders on his side’s 2-1 defeat by National League South title contenders Worthing

Tonbridge manager Jay Saunders was quick to acknowledge Worthing’s qualities - but felt their winner shouldn’t have stood.

The Rebels won 2-1 at Longmead on Saturday thanks to Liam Nash’s 83rd-minute strike.

A fifth successive victory moved them up to second place in National League South, a point behind leaders Dorking with three games in hand.

They were clearly a strong side but Nash’s goal was contentious for the Angels boss, as Taylor Maloney appeared to be fouled in the build-up.

“I think first and foremost, we're up against a very good side,” said Saunders, who saw Jack Wood level for 10th-placed Tonbridge after Tommy Willard opened the scoring.

“You can see why they're going for the title, you look at the squad and the players and the quality they've got going forward, they cause you a lot of problems.

“I thought we showed them a bit too much respect first half, which wasn't the instruction, but it was difficult because we've made changes and there's people that have not really met.

“But I thought towards the end of the first half, we were a bit more aggressive, a bit better. And I thought second half, we were probably better without being at our best.

Report: Tonbridge 1-2 Worthing

“Again, we've lost players during the game, but I'm just disappointed with how the second goal's come about.

“There's fouls in the build-up and it should never have got to the point where the lad has a shot.

“He’s (referee Tolu Sangowawa) pulled Taylor up for clipping the boy's ankle about 15 minutes earlier and then exactly the same thing's happened.

“I think the fourth official agreed with us that it was probably a foul.”

Saunders handed debuts to on-loan Wycombe duo Christie Ward, who started, and Brody Peart, a second-half