Skegness Town suffered a hugely disappointing evening at Blackstones, surrendering a two-goal lead as the hosts came from behind to record a 5–2 victory in the United Counties League Premier Division North.

The Lilywhites travelled with a squad already stretched in terms of defensive options, with Kieran Wressell, Matt Ward and Joshua Morrall all missing from the squad. That left Skegness with limited options to fill the defensive positions, something that would become increasingly significant as the game progressed.

Despite those absences, Skegness stuck with the same formation that had proved successful in Saturday's cup victory, and for the opening 40 minutes the decision looked to have paid off handsomely.

The Lilywhites were completely on top for much of that opening period, controlling the game and creating opportunities. Had Skegness been three or four goals ahead during that spell, it would not have flattered them. And when the goals came, they were two real moments of quality.

The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute, with Theo Kitt-Bushell producing the finish to put Skegness ahead.

Just four minutes later, Declan Johnson doubled the advantage in the 43rd minute.

Two excellent pieces of attacking play had given the Lilywhites a deserved 2–0 lead, and at that point Skegness looked firmly in control of the contest.

But Blackstones pulled a goal back in the second minute of first-half stoppage time through Finn Rawlings.

Although Skegness still went into the break 2–1 ahead, there was a noticeable sense of disappointment among the players at conceding the goal. After such a dominant opening 43 minutes, the late setback appeared to knock some of the stuffing out of the side.

The players returned for the second half determined to get back on the front foot and win the game, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

Blackstones came out with renewed purpose and demonstrated the strength and power they possess throughout their side. Leading goalscorer Josh Sennett was a constant threat, and once the hosts found their rhythm, Skegness struggled to contain them.

Blackstones levelled just a minute after the restart, with Sennett making it 2–2.

Skegness were also forced to contend with injury problems during the second half. Luke Rayner-Mistry was replaced by Harley Thompson in the 52nd minute, with the change appearing to be injury-related.

Then, just a minute after coming onto the pitch, Thompson was involved in a tackle and suffered what looked like a nasty injury. He was unable to continue, with Toby Cotton coming on to replace him.

It was another disruption for a Skegness side already stretched for available players, particularly in defensive areas.

As the Lilywhites attempted to adapt and make changes to the shape, they struggled to find the same balance they had enjoyed during the first half.

And ultimately, it was defensive fragility that cost Skegness dearly.

Blackstones took the lead for the first time in the 73rd minute, with Sennett finding the net again.

Just a minute later, he completed his hat-trick to make it 4–2.

The fifth arrived in the 81st minute, with Sennett converting from the penalty spot to complete a remarkable four-goal individual performance.

There is no disguising the disappointment of the result, particularly given the quality of Skegness' two goals and the dominance of the opening period. But while those goals were genuine moments of quality, the Lilywhites' defensive frailties ultimately proved their undoing.

A needless free kick given away contributed to one of the goals, while another came from an individual defensive mistake. The fifth came from the penalty spot. Blackstones were clinical enough to punish those mistakes, and their physical strength and Sennett's constant threat made the task increasingly difficult.

Skegness also struggled to adapt when changes to the shape became necessary. With limited defensive options available before kick-off and then further disruption caused by injuries during the game, maintaining the structure that had worked so effectively in the first half became increasingly difficult.

The management and players will exercise honesty in their assessment of an evening where Blackstones really got the better of Skegness on the night, particularly after half-time, despite the fact that the Lilywhites had established such a commanding position early on. That is what will make the result all the more frustrating.

For the first 40 minutes, Skegness looked the better side and could quite conceivably have been three or four goals to the good. The two goals they did score were excellent examples of quality in the final third. But football games are not won on the quality of one part of the pitch alone. On this occasion, Skegness' attacking quality gave them the platform, but their defensive fragility cost them dearly.

A 2–0 lead became 2–1 at half-time, then 2–2 shortly after the restart, before Blackstones took complete control and ran out 5–2 winners.

It is a painful result for the Lilywhites, but there were positives in the opening 40 minutes that must not be overlooked. The task now is to address the defensive issues, recover from the injuries and ensure that when quality is shown in attack, it is matched by the resilience required at the other end of the pitch.

Blackstones 5–2 Skegness Town

Skegness Town: Theo Kitt-Bushell 39', Declan Johnson 43'
Blackstones: Finn Rawlings 45+2', Josh Sennett 46', 73', 74', 81' (pen)