COACH Jon Sanchez admitted unforced errors “killed” Bournemouth’s chances in their 24-7 home defeat to Esher in National Two South.

Luca Firetto’s late try proved in vain as the Chapel Gate outfit returned to the bottom of the pile, four points below Westcliff, who won 19-15 at Worthing.

Sanchez said: “Unforced errors killed us.

“We probably had half of the possession and got into the strike zone a few times but then we would knock the ball on.

“We came up against a side in Esher who knew their roles and responsibilities really well.

“I thought we were a little bit hard done by at the breakdown but the boys worked their socks off.

“They can see the things we are trying to implement are getting there, but we need to be more clinical.”

The home crowd, used to witnessing their side romp to victory, were treated to a tense first half with both defences in the ascendency.

An early penalty from Esher fly-half James Chaumeton was all that separated the teams until 20 minutes, when scrum-half Jack Walsh darted over from close range. Chaumeton’s subsequent conversion took the score to 10-0 where it remained up to half-time.

Bournemouth had been able to control possession for significant spells of the opening period, but Esher’s organisation and precision in defence nullified the home side’s attacking threat.

The second half began as so often for Lions this campaign, a lapse in concentration allowing Esher centre Thomas James to cross from the first play, with Sam Druce converting for 17-0.

10 minutes later the Esher forwards rolled a maul that proved to be too much for Bournemouth, and lock Cameron Gentles powered over from close range for the visitors to put them out of sight.

Consolation came for the home team five minutes from time when prop Firetto crashed over. Grant Hancox converted.

Lions make the trip to 14th-placed Barnes on Saturday.