Manager Micky Nathan was left "bitterly disappointed" after Harpenden Town conceded a goal deep into stoppage time to lose to Arlesey Town.

Blues debutant Henry Jones, on loan from Welwyn Garden City, headed past Harpenden keeper Liam Gauthier to snatch a 1-0 win in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

The back-to-back losses this brought was not pleasing for Nathan.

He said: “I don’t think we were great and I don’t think it was a great game of football in all honesty.

“I just said to the lads, if you can’t win a game of football, with two minutes to go - you don’t lose it.”

Harpenden enjoyed chances in the first half yet were unable to find the back of the net as Jake Anthony and Danny Webb both had chances go amiss.

After half-time, frustrations grew. Anthony was sin-binned just before the hour mark as the Harps began to push.

Heroics from Gauthier kept them in the game, including saving an effort form point-blank range.

It was not enough ultimately and Nathan highlighted how poor game-management cost a valuable point.

He said: “I thought we defended exceptionally well for 90 minutes and then a silly free-kick costs us the game.

“Higher up the pitch we could’ve given a free-kick away and prevented the game from playing on.

“They end up scoring at the back stick and well it’s disgusting in my opinion. It’s soft, we’re soft - which I don’t take kindly to.

"Players need to realise sometimes it’s a game of 98 minutes and you’ve got to work hard and do the right things, but we switched off and gave away a soft goal.”

Despite the result, Harpenden handed a first start to U18 forward Fynn Sweeting.

His performance was one highlight for the boss.

Nathan said: "He played well, his first start for us and only 17-years-old. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.

“He’s one of those kids who’s an absolute sponge and absorbs everything ahead of him.

"It’s a different culture from the U18s to first team but he’s doing exceptionally well and he’s only going to get better.”