Royston: We must cut out individual errors - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Ryan Royston could not hide his disappointment after Maidstone United’s FA Trophy exit on Sunday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The big central defender saw Ashford Town (Middlesex) steal a winner seven minutes into stoppage time.

The Ryman Premier League side booked a home third qualifying round tie with Nationwide Conference South strugglers Thurrock at the end of the month following their smash and grab raid at Bourne Park.

Goals from Simon Austin and Lynden Rowland weren’t enough as the Stones conceded three goals in the last 27 minutes.

The Stones clinched a dramatic late 2-1 win at Ryman Premier League side Chelmsford City in the previous round two weeks earlier, but yesterday’s defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the former Thamesmead Town defender.

“Actually gutting,” Royston said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after their Trophy exit. “It always is when you lose in the last minute.

“We were fortunate to win at Chelmsford 2-1 in the last minute and today we were on the receiving end of that to lose 3-2 - I’m absolutely gutted.

“Although we were backs to the wall for much of the second half, I thought we did enough just to get least a replay.”

But Royston insists the Ryman League Division One South side need to cut out costly defensive errors when Tooting & Mitcham United visit Bourne Park on Saturday.

“I think we (need to) cut out the errors, the individual errors,” said Royston. “I don’t think we played badly in general, we just made some stupid mistakes, people not doing their jobs, just switching of and we got punished for it.”

Teams in the Ryman Premier League are very clinical, and although the Middlesex side created three chances, they scored on each occasion.

“They weren’t as strong as Chelmsford were two weeks ago but they’re a decent side. They always will be coming from a league above,” admitted Royston.

“If you make mistakes like we did today then you are going to get punished.

“Somewhere along the line, against a team from the league above, they are going to take those chances.”

The Tangerines also knocked the Stones out of the FA Cup, winning 4-0 in the first qualifying round tie at Short Lane in September.