HATFIELD Town ended a turbulent week with defeat in the South Midlands Premier Division, going down 3-2 at home to Hillingdon Borough.

With manager Andy Prutton resigning following Town’s 3-3 home draw with Colney Heath last Tuesday night, it was left to first-team coach Gary Ansell and goalkeeping coach Kevin Pearman to take charge of team affairs at the Gosling Stadium on Saturday.

And similarly to Tuesday night, where the Blueboys threw away a 3-1 lead in the dying moments to draw with derby rivals Heath, there was late drama once again with Borough netting a 94th minute winner.

However, Ansell paid tribute to his battle-weary troops following a difficult week at the club.

“I was gutted for the players to be honest, they went out there and put in so much effort and definitely deserved at least a point from the game,” said Ansell.

“We were very depleted on Saturday yet the lads showed tremendous courage to battle hard against Hillingdon.

“They gave it their all, and I feel sorry for them that they ended up losing the game.”

Aaron Lansiquot put the visitors Hillingdon in front after 17 minutes, but Hatfield equalised three minutes before half-time when Gary Coley looped a header into the goal.

An inspiring teamtalk from caretaker bosses Ansell and Pearman saw the Blueboys come out all guns blazing in the second period.

And they got their just rewards when Matt Standen got the goal his hard work has deserved in recent matches to put his side 2-1 up on 52 minutes.

But back came Borough, and Lansiquot grabbed his second of the game in the 73 minute to level the scores.

Hatfield pushed for the winner, but in the end were dealt a hammer blow in injury time.

Hillingdon floated a corner in, Blueboys custodian Sam Lacey failed to get a strong connection with a punch out, and Kevin Wynter lobbed the ball over a mass of bodies to net and claim all three points for his side.