CHERRIES women boss Steve Cuss admitted his side lost their way after conceding in their 1-1 draw with Keynsham Town.

6,162 fans watched on at Vitality Stadium as Cherries came from behind to cancel out Vicky Vipond’s opener, captain Gemma Hillier’s second-half strike only enough to salvage a point for the hosts.

Vipond’s goal came against the run of play, with Cherries keeping sustained pressure on the Keynsham box throughout the first half.

A cheap free kick allowed Keynsham to swing a ball to the back stick, where Vipond was on hand to blast home and open scores.

Cuss felt his side had been sloppy with fouls in the first period.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think we just lost our way when they scored.

“I felt that we were just trying to hit the ball over the top and hoping that somebody was going to get on onto it.

“So half time, a bit of a reset, this is how we're going to try and play.

“This is how we're going to try and break them down.

“I was really pleased, I don't think they had a shot on goal.

“Don't really think they got anywhere near our penalty box, second half.

“We controlled possession, got a number of good opportunities.

“And then there were good efforts on goal. But on another day we'd have probably got the three points.

“But fair play to Keynsham. They dug in deep and they battled hard and got their well-earned point.”

Cherries are now eight points behind league leaders Exeter City, with two games in hand over the Grecians.

The two sides are currently set to meet on the final day of the season, meaning Cherries’ destiny remains in their own hands if they are to win all of their remaining seven games.

“Obviously from a football point of view, we’re disappointed,” continued Cuss.

“Our first half performance in particular was below our normal standards.

“We were punished for that, sloppy conceding the free kicks and found ourselves 1-0 down.

“But really pleased with the second half.

“We came out and showed something about us.

“We hit the post, hit the bar, scored our goal, was pushing for that second one.

“So, pleased with how we finished it. But ultimately we've dropped points this afternoon.”

Cherries return to action on Thursday, when they travel to Test Park to face Southampton Women (kick-off 7.45pm).