Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith admitted he had mixed emotions after his side drew 1-1 at home to Metropolitan Police in the Isthmian League South Central Division.

Laurence Ernest’s 43rd-minute own goal gave the Baggies a first-half lead, but Benjamin Mendoza’s 61st-minute equaliser earned the visitors a share of the spoils in front of a crowd of 86 at Westfield Lane.

“With the amount of times we visited their final third we did well but the final pass, shot or cross was lacking in quality,” said Smith.

“The other week we looked like we were going to score all the time – the games were a bit more open – but we looked like we could concede.

“I think we look better defensively – I thought the boys at the back were good.

“George Winkworth was excellent. He switched off once in the game and unfortunately for him they scored – it's a great finish.

“If I look at the game overall a point is probably fair but we had more entries into the final third and got in behind quite a lot.”

The Baggies took the lead just before half-time, and Smith hoped his side could kick on in the second half and get a second.

“We needed another goal because we've kept one clean sheet in the league this season,” said Smith.

“If we got another goal I would like to think we would have won.”

The Baggies looked solid throughout the game, and Smith was pleased with his side’s defensive structure.

“If you don't concede goals you're in with a chance of winning games,” said Smith.

“Unfortunately we've conceded a lot of goals this season so it's nice to have looked defensively sound.

“Now we need to find the other bit – when it matters can we put the ball in the net and kill games off.”