MALDON Cricket Club skipper Martyn Coker admitted his side missed “key opportunities” in their defeat at Frinton twos.

The Tendring side won by 47 runs, in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one contest on Saturday afternoon.

It was Maldon’s fourth defeat in a row and their fifth in six matches, leaving them third from bottom in the table ahead of this weekend’s tricky home match against Wivenhoe.

Coker felt there were positives to take from last week’s game – but says his side were made to pay for their mistakes.

“The team showed an improved ground-fielding display, but missed key opportunities to take catches at important times,” he said.

“We dropped (Shayne) Moseley on about 20 and that cost us (as the West Indian went on to make 133).

“Robb Macmillan was economical and bowled well alongside Toby Pugh, to keep the run-rate down during the middle of the innings.

“Chris Harris again showed he is in excellent touch with 68.

“However, we couldn’t establish enough partnerships down the order, meaning we fell short of our target.”

Coker wants his side to show their resilience and scrap for points in their quest to climb away from the division one relegation zone.

“Wivenhoe will be a tough game this weekend,” he said.

“But we must fight for every single point available as we come towards the halfway point of the year.”