Hackney Wick boss Tony Ievoli believes the need to become mentally strong as a team after falling to a 3-1 defeat against local rivals Sporting Bengal United.

The Wickers Jake Casey put them in front just before the hour mark, but Bengal fought back and levelled through Steven Carvell just six minutes later before a brace from Oscal Mendes in the 81st and 83rd minute helped them to three points at Mile End Stadium.

Ievoli’s men now sit second from bottom in the Essex Senior League and the new boss believes it’s mentality that cost his side.

“We were missing five key players on Saturday due to injury and suspension, so we had no recognised centre-forward and for 60 minutes we probably were the better side and took the lead,” he said.

“Sometimes when you’re in a situation of not winning many matches, one goal can feel like a here we go again scenario, and when they got their very fortunate equaliser I think a few heads and started thinking here we go again.

“We’ve got to work on that and work on what I call the mentally tough side of the game, whether you go 1-0 up or 1-0 down you have the same approach, that unfortunately didn’t help.”

The boss also believes his side were unfortunate as an injury to their goalkeeper cost them dearly as Mendes netted a brace in the space of two minutes.

“Our goalkeeper had a really bad collision and the referee gave a penalty, I couldn’t really see if it was a penalty or not, apparently he got the ball first but his follow up got the player.

“The player landed on him and split his face, like a boxers cut, he was very concussed and dazed, but I’d made all my substitutions, so he had to try and save the penalty and he was not in a good way.

“Then a few minutes later they scored another where we were just unorganised.”