Potters Bar Town fell to a second Isthmian League Premier Division loss in three games - going down away to Horsham.

Goals from Steve Cawley bookended the contest but it was three goals in the 19 minutes plus stoppage time before half-time that ultimately handed the Scholars a 3-2 loss.

Manager Max Mitchell said: "I'm disappointed for sure but not disheartened. 

"For the first 15 minutes I thought we were OK, we found our feet and we scored a good goal, and after the goal we reacted well for five minutes.

"But the pressure we really put them under was non-existent.

"You have to run in behind in football and you have to run hard and I felt we lost second and third balls at times, centrally.

"That [benefited] them and I think it was their first goal, we've lost the second ball and the third ball and they've played it down the sides and scored.

"We have to improve in those moments and I'm not happy with the manner of the goals we conceded.

"If you get to half-time 2-1 down, you can get back into the game, which we did in the second half but it [wasn't 2-1 by then, it was 3-1].

"We were OK in the second half but not enough pressure."

And the path ahead is now clear for the Bar boss as they turn their attentions to a home game at Kings Langley against Hastings United.

Mitchell said: "We need to put in a performance and by making sure we do things the right way over the next week.

"We have to see more from the group, work harder in moments, but we'll have a few back in the next few days."

The loss in Sussex was perhaps more frustrating after their recovery from the 8-0 opening day loss to Dover Athletic.

They went "back to basics" for their trip to Dartford in midweek and beat the side relegated from National League South last season 1-0, Cawley on target again in a team performance Mitchell hailed as "brilliant".

The Scholars have been strengthening their squad in the week too, the most high profile signing being the return of Ben Ward-Cochrane.

The striker most famously put Potters Bar 1-0 ahead in their FA Cup replay in 2019 at Barnet.

He spent his time away from the club with the likes of Walthamstow, Kingstonian and Wingate & Finchley.

Mitchell has also signed two young players on loan from League Two MK Dons, goalkeeper Seb Stacey and defender Albert Wood.

Both MK players made their debut at Horsham, Wood coming off the bench alongside Ward-Cochrane.