MALDON and Tiptree boss Terry Spillane says suggestions that his side’s title challenge is faltering are wide of the mark.

The Park Drive team lost only their second Ryman League divison one north game of the season after going down 2-1 at Thamesmead on Saturday.

It extended the club’s run to three matches without a win, after draws against Waltham Abbey and Redbridge.

But Spillane insists there is no chance of him hitting the panic button and said: “I’m not one to worry. People are saying the wheels have fallen off but that’s rubbish.

“I wasn’t singing from the rooftops when things were going well, so I’m certainly not going to dig a hole just because we’ve dropped a few points.

“I always said we’d hit a wall at some point because all teams, whatever level they play at, get beaten from time to time.

“It would be boring if that wasn’t the case, but the main thing is how we react.”

Maldon now have two home matches against Harlow on Saturday and Potters Bar Town next Tuesday.