HULLBRIDGE Sports manager Rob Hodgson admits having played almost half their league season in under three months is taking its toll on his players, citing the scheduling as "ridiculous".

Sports came from behind to draw 1-1 with Ilford on Tuesday but, after a flying start, they have struggled to pick up points in the Essex Senior League in recent weeks.

They remain second in the standings after Jimmy Cox's equaliser, but Hodgson says they should be doing better.

"We should have won," he said. "I thought we were a lot better than Ilford we just couldn't put the ball in the net. It was a really positive performance and just a shame we didn’t get maximum points.

"I think playing more games is becoming more of a hindrance on us as we have dropped a lot of points we shouldn’t have and part of it is down to the amount of games we have been forced to play in in so little time.

"That has resulted in more injuries than usual and having to use more reserve players then we usually would too.

"Most players are looking forward to a game a week soon so we have longer recovery time. Playing nearly half a season already by beginning of October, when some have only played nine or 10 games is ridiculous."

Basildon United were thumping 6-1 winners over Enfield 1893 as they jumped to fifth in the standings.

Hamid Zamani (2), John-Joe Slater, Alf Lindfield, Lee Delf and Jamie Brown got the goals and manager Aaron Bloxham said he couldn't have asked for more from his team.

"We played extremely well, won our battles, got the ball down and mixed it up too," he said. "I really can't fault the boys on their performance.

"There is plenty of work to still be done and we must now keep focus going into Saturday's game and not undo our hard work from last few games, which we often seem to do.

"It is frustrating for me and the lads, but if we stick together I'm sure we find that consistency we are looking for.

"I'm proud of how the team is doing and want to keep it up, as it's very long season."