BILLERICAY suffered their first league defeat of the season and left manager Kim Coster bemoaning the team's lack of luck.

The visitors were without a goalkeeper and were unable to convert their chances in the Eastern Region Premier Division match.

“We didn’t deserve the result,” said Coster. “We are creating chances but are not getting the luck of the green and hitting the net.

“We didn’t have a keeper again, so big thanks to Hayley Piggott for stepping in between the sticks and doing so well.”

Billericay made a good start and created a number of chances but were unable to make the breakthrough.

That proved costly as Stevenage took the lead after capitalising on some Town ball-watching with a low shot from the edge of the box.

And things got worse when Stevenage doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when two Billericay players failed to close the ball and a Stevenage player made the most of the opportunity.

The second half developed into a midfield battle but Billericay reduced the arrears when Vanessa Wilson’s long ball caught the Stevenage defence on the hop and Paris Smith beat a defender to score.

Town were endebted to Piggott for making some good saves to prevent Stevenage extending their lead.

Billericay pressed their hosts back into their own half in the final 10 minutes but were unable to get the equaliser.

It left Coster’s team second in the table, three points adrift of leaders Colchester Town, while Stevenage moved up to fifth, six points behind Billericay, who play Gillingham in a Ryman Cup competition at New Lodge tonight at 7.45pm.

Billericay Town: Piggott, Roberts, Wilson, Appleton, Poleykett, Dunne, Lainsey, Barker, Whitehead, P Smith, Murphy (Spallin) subs not used Reeves, Bowman, Chappell, S Smith.