MARK Bentley pulled no punches as Canvey Island suffered a third consecutive home defeat.

Johnny Ashman scored the only goal as Witham Town sealed a 1-0 win at the Frost Hire Stadium.

And Bentley lambasted his side after a poor performance against the Isthmian North strugglers.

The Gulls boss said: “I’m lost for words because we are so characterless in our dressing room, it’s a joke and I can’t accept that.

“Witham are in good form at the moment and they didn’t cause us loads of problems, but we caused ourselves problems.

“There is no character in our team, it’s spineless and it’s a joke.”

Witham were awarded a 16th minute penalty in bizarre circumstances.

Sam Collins handled the ball in his own penalty area as the assistant referee wrongly flagged Sam Ashford offside after a Gulls defender flicked the ball into the Witham striker’s path.

However, the referee overruled his assistant referee and was left with no choice but to point to the spot.

But Witham failed to take advantage as Gulls goalkeeper Harry Palmer made a fine diving save to keep out Ashford’s effort.

Ashman scored what proved to be the winner soon after the hour mark as his 30-yard free-kick found the back of the net.

And Bentley could not hide his frustrations as Canvey’s woeful home form continued.

“We’re supposedly supposed to be fighting to get out of this league and we’re nowhere near,” added Bentley.

“It’s a joke and we can’t keep doing that. We take one step forwards and it’s not two steps back but five steps at the moment.

“It’s really frustrating because I know that losing hurts me and the staff, but does it hurt the players?

“Some maybe, but it’s got to hurt whether you are in the Premier League or Sunday dog-and-duck level when you lose.

“There are a lot of talkers in our dressing room, I believe, who have got loads to say when things don’t go well.

"When we win they are happy but then they go missing on the football pitch, especially at home.

“This should be a fortress and you say don’t lose your home games and try to nick as many points as you can away from home, but at the minute we’re a little bit of a joke and everyone can’t wait to get down here and play us because we don’t turn up.”

Canvey Island: Palmer, Brown, Collins, White, Warren, Topley (Dulieu 80), Agyakwa (Simmons 68), Gilbert, Tuohy, Merrifield, Balogun (Vyse 56)