Bromley boss Andy Woodman said he was “absolutely fuming” by his side’s performance in defeat to Carlisle United.
The Ravens manager admitted Mark Hughes’ side deserved their 2-1 victory at Brunton Park.
Woodman said Carlisle’s fighting spirit was better than that of his own 12th-placed team in a feisty contest.
While the result revived United’s hopes of survival, Bromley missed the chance to boost their play-off hopes, as Stephen Wearne and Callum Whelan scored either side of a Harry McKirdy goal.
Woodman, speaking after Bromley’s first ever visit to Brunton Park, said: “We were poor in the first 25 minutes – we should have been out of sight, let’s be honest.
“We didn’t get going. When we come here and they’re at the bottom of the table, fighting to stay in the league, we’ve got to expect that they are going to be up for the fight, up for every second ball, up for every moment.
“But we didn’t half make it hard for ourselves. We don’t get out of our half, we keep trying to play balls in our half, giving them territory.
“It’s a huge pitch – play in their half. We didn’t do that. And we got punished. We should have been maybe three down at half-time, but we got a goal and it’s a lifeline.
“At half-time, I said what I said to the lads and it’s like I was speaking Swahili, because they did their own thing again in the second half. It’s mental. I’m absolutely fuming.
“Credit to Carlisle – they fought for every ball, ran for every ball, and they caused us problems.”
Woodman said too many of his team were below their best as Hughes’ bottom-placed side claimed a crucial victory.
Bromley failed to take late chances as United held on for victory (Image: Ben Holmes)
“I can’t stress it enough – the teams at the top to the teams at the bottom, there’s margins. If you don’t come and turn up and you’re slightly off it, you’re going to get beat,” he added in " target="_blank" class="link"> a club interview.
“We caused our own problems. We went away from what we are a little bit and that worries me. I’ve vented my frustrations in there.
“Let’s remember what we are – a team that works hard, battles for everything, scraps things out. We didn’t do that in moments today and we didn’t do it better than them.
“Too many players were off it. We created chances, another day they go in and we think it’s a great result, but I don’t think we deserved it.”
Woodman also said he felt for the 208 fans who backed his side in Cumbria.
“I’m not going to be one of those managers that apologises to [fans] – we don’t go out there to lose,” he added.
“But trust me, I get on my coach or train, sit there and I do feel for them. They’ve come up and backed us and I’m gutted for them.”
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