DEFLATED Bridport manager Chris Herbst admitted the Bees’ 3-2 semi-final loss to Okehampton Argyle was a “killer” result.

Bridport went 2-0 up after 26 minutes courtesy of Riley Weedon’s well-taken brace, with a place in the Walter C Parson Cup final looking firmly within their grasp.

However, Josh Coles pulled a goal back before the break as Bridport failed to deal with a long ball, and the same fate contributed to them going a man down.

Goalkeeper Jordon Scadding was drawn to rush off his line, only to be beaten by Dan Koita before taking the Okey forward out for a straight red card.

READ MORE: Bridport 2-3 Okehampton Argyle - report

Fred Parsons did an admirable job as emergency keeper, but he could do nothing to prevent Coles lashing home an emphatic equaliser on 86 minutes.

And Coles broke Bridport hearts in extra-time, his dipping shot deceiving Parsons in the 114th minute to send the holders through to the final against Elburton Villa.

For Bridport, the Bees were left to reflect on another red card in a semi-final that ultimately cost them victory.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Herbst said: “I’m really frustrated, we left everything on the pitch and obviously the red card changed the game.

“When we were 2-0 up, I was losing my mind on the sidelines. People were coming out of their positions.

“We were set up in a low block and, if one person doesn’t do that, it opens us up. Two balls over the top, it’s a sickener.

“We’ve got six players missing, it’s a killer. Such a tough one to take, we should be in that final.”

Herbst also criticised his defence for expecting an offside flag prior to Scadding’s red card.

“It’s the long ball over the top and we’ve got to play to the whistle,” Herbst insisted.

“Jordon’s got to come, he’s gambled and taken the player. No blame on Jordon because we’ve put him into that position.

“All of a sudden, we’re stepping up playing to the lino. You learn it playing at under-sevens, play to the whistle. We haven’t and it’s cost us.

“It’s a hard one to take, especially after what happened at Hamworthy (Rec) as well.”

Faced with 35 minutes in goal plus extra-time, Parsons emerged as one of the heroes in defeat for Bridport as he kept the Bees in the tie with a string of brave stops.

“He was unbelievable,” Herbst added.

“I rang him at five o’clock because we had Kinger (Luke King, captain) pull out. I said if he could just do a job on the bench and beef it up. I was struggling that bad.

“He’s come down and made some unbelievable saves, so he’s definitely number two now!

“You can’t put any blame to Fred, he’s had the guts to go in goal. That shows the quality of the player.

“The only way we’re going to win stuff is if we actually listen to what me, Jim (Lukosius, coach) and Locky (Mark Lock, assistant) are saying.

“The quality is there. We should be better but it’s lapses in concentration throughout the whole season that’s cost us, and why we’re not in the title race and in finals.”

Bridport must now pick themselves up for a Good Friday derby at Axminster tomorrow (11am).