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 substitute.

They impressed but there was further frustration on the injury front with skipper Scott Wagstaff (calf) and Crossley Lema (ankle) going off in the first half.

The hosts also lost Liam Vincent after the break, as he was feeling the effects of a sickness bug.

“Things, again, have probably gone against us with the squad and players coming on and off, which doesn't help with the balance,” said Saunders.

“There were some positives. Woody's obviously got his first goal back, a great finish.

“I thought Christie had a really good debut considering he doesn't know people's names, and I thought Brody came on and had a positive impact as well.

“But our quality on the ball wasn't good enough. We normally can handle the ball well.

“Whether that is the changes, I'm not sure, but I didn't think we were good enough in possession to have sustained spells where we could cause some problems.”

Tonbridge visit leaders Dorking on Tuesday (7.45pm).