Loughgall manager Dean Smith expressed his frustration that his side “gave away really sloppy goals” in their 4-1 defeat against Ballymena United.

The heavy reverse means that the Villagers are without a win since the opening day of the season and sit bottom of the table after results elsewhere.

And Smith admits that they are the architects of their own downfall in recent defeats, including at the Showgrounds.

“Probably another game we look back at and look at the poor defending as a group. We gave away really sloppy goals again today,” he told BBC Sport NI.

“It is something we have tried to work on and rectify but at the minute it seems every time we have taken a step forward, we take two back, so we need to stick together and keep believing in what we’re doing.”

Smith admitted that he has been disappointed at his players inability to show their full potential so far this season after their impressive first campaign in the Irish Premiership last year.

“Over the last five or six games we have been way off it in terms of performances, we have had bits and pieces but not 90 minutes,” Smith continued.

“If I was getting every last drop out of these players and we were losing I would have no problem with it but knowing what these players can do that is the most frustrating thing as a manager as there is more in them.

“Today was a tough day internally for the players, even though we got beat and we were really poor I’m proud of them because there have been things going internally, we have had to deal with.”