HEREFORD FC Head Coach Marc Richards was left frustrated and said his side have work to do during the off-season following their 2-0 defeat by Boston United.

In their final game of the season the Bulls went behind on 23 minutes after Thomas Clare netted from a corner before Bradley Abbott’s penalty sealed the points in the second half.

“It was really frustrating to end the season like that, it was a flat game and flat performance,” said Richards.

“We actually created quite a few chances but didn’t take any of them. The difference was two set pieces in the end, a corner from them and wide free-kick they got the penalty from.

“It was a really disappointing way to end the season. We have created chances and we haven’t done what we have been doing in the 25 to 30 games in terms of putting in the performance levels that allows us to play on the front foot.

“Everything we wanted to do today we haven’t done. It has been tough but over a long period of time they have done consistently quite well and it’s just these last few where we haven’t really been at it.

“We want to entertain them (the fans) and to be honest we wanted to put on a performance and be really on the front foot.

“We weren’t good enough today, simple as and I really disappointed at the moment. We were flat across the whole team whether that is contracted players until the end of next season or non-contract players.

“At the moment it’s pretty raw and I’m thinking we’ve got a bit of work to do and maybe more work than I thought during the off-season. We know we need to put a squad together that are capable of competing at the top end of this league and on today’s showing we won’t.

“We need to ensure that we have got a squad that can compete in that top 10.”

When asked about his budget for next year, Richards replied: “I’m confident that we will have a competitive budget.

“We want to identify players who can play at this level and higher so that’s our recruitment. If they can play at the top end of this division they can compete in the top end of the National League.

Richards was forced to substitute Mike Symons and the lively Jak Hickman at half-time before receiving criticism from some fans for taking off Eliot Richards in the second half.

“The three enforced were all injuries. (Mike) Symons and Jak (Hickman) were injured at half-time and Eliot (Richards) was struggling to carry on and he tried to carry on.

“I thought he (Richards) was our best player today and at Altrincham as well which was again an enforced change.

“I was clapping when he was given the man of the match award as he deserved it. I just wish he could have stayed on the pitch. At this stage of the season do I risk him staying on the pitch and tearing his hamstring and then him being out for three months?”