No disrespect, but when Steve Holder names himself on the bench moments before kick off you know the injury crisis at Hadleigh has reached a new low.

Player manager Holder, still struggling with a chest injury after fracturing ribs last February, was not used, although his side were in need of a finisher.

Hadleigh lost two players to injury during the warm up, to weaken an already depleted squad and despite going on the front foot, soon found themselves two down to a Lakenheath side that took their chances.

The deletions on the team sheet, along with the manner of the defeat, encapsulated Hadleigh's 2022/23 campaign and Holder admitted he was already looking to start afresh next season.

Holder said: "We didn't defend our box properly first half. We had more chances but just not taken them.

"Today sums it up really, in 36 games we have not been able to pick the same side and today we have had two players pull up in the warm up. It is going to be the same for Monday, patting players up to to get by.

"We missed a bit of quality with Joe Yaxley and Matty Payne for example being out. We had to play Joel (Glover) in central midfield, then Kade (Ivatt) also going central midfield,"

Back of the net but disallowed (Picture credit: Hadleigh Nub News)

Despite the defeat Hadleigh are safe from the drop with two away games to go and Holder rues the teams inconsistency, mainly due to injuries, Covid and weddings.

He said: "We started alright, then went through a rough patch, then got enough points to get us over the line, but it would have been good to finish the season with a couple more wins and leapfrog a couple of teams.

"We did well during the catch up period when we had six games in two weeks.

"We have done enough over the past month or two with a good run to get over the line and while we have couple of tough games to go, we might still be able to move up a place or two still..

Hadleigh United piled on pressure (Picture credit: Hadleigh Nub News)

Jack Baker gave Holder's Hadleigh boost with a sharp finish during a goalmouth scramble following a Mason Ransome corner but it was short-lived as Lakenheath once again exploited poor marking to grab a third.

Hadleigh had their chances, twice hitting the woodwork, and having a Taylor goal disallowed.

Joel Glover had a header come back off the foot of a post following a corner while Kade Ivatt had an effort tipped onto the crossbar moment after coming off the bench to replace Baker.

Harry Brown, Asa Milliard and Josh Cheetham all tested the keeper but United could not give their fans anything to cheer about as they wrap up their homes games.

Milliard goes back to his old club Whitton United with Hadleigh on Monday and then United wrap up their season at Fakenham, with a coach trip organised for supporters.

"There will be plenty to do in the close season." said Holder. "A few ins and few outs but if you look how many points we took off the top eight sides this season, I'm sure we can do well if we can stay healthy."

Close but no cigar (Picture credit: Hadleigh Nub News)

Holder busts ribs