STEVE Johnson is refusing to close the door on Weymouth’s play-off hopes despite suffering another Wessex Stadium home defeat.
Eastbourne Borough became the latest side to leave Radipole Lane with three points after Matt Smart’s scrambled second half effort secured a 1-0 win for the high-flying Sussex side.
The defeat means the miserable Terras – missing suspended striker Kirk Jackson – have only won only two of their last nine home Conference South clashes and lie nine points off the play-off places.
But boss Johnson insists a change of luck is all that’s needed for the Terras to start coming good again.
He said: “I thought we played quite well today -we just need that little bit of luck to go our way.
“This defeat does not mean our season is over, until it is mathematically impossible we’ve got to believe we can still make the play-offs.
“But I’m realistic in that it’s now going to be very, very hard to make up the ground needed to qualify.
“We’re going to have to win every one of our remaining games for that to happen but that’s what we’ve got to aim for.
“I’m really disappointed to have lost because we mullered Eastbourne.
“We dominated possession, played quite well but the way the game was one goal was always going to decide it and unfortunately they got what was a really spawny effort.
“I know some fans will be critical of our performance today but hopefully the sensible ones will appreciate that we played quite well and see what we’re trying to achieve.
“Our build up play was good, but unfortunately we lacked that cutting edge in and around the box to really hurt Eastbourne.”
Johnson added: “There have been a lot of changes at the club and it takes time.
A week is a long time in football and who is to say we won’t have a chance of fortunes, go to Havant next Saturday and smash them?”
Despite the defeat, Johnson hailed defender Bradley Thomas and debutant Brian Dutton, 19, who has agreed terms with the Terras until the end of the season.
He said: “I thought both Bradley and Brian were terrific and big plus points to take from the game.
“I asked Bradley to do a job on Eastbourne dangerman Yemi Obudabe before the game and he came through with flying colours because Yemi hardly had a kick.
“Brian was also very impressive and I’m pleased he’ll be staying at the club at least until the summer. He put his foot in when needed in midfield, won tackles and his all round game was good.
“On the basis on this performance and the midweek game against Portland, he could be the answer in midfield for us.”
