A rare blow-up from Spartans special teams cost them at least a share of the points against highly-rated Kent Exiles.
Touchdowns from Paul Simpson and quarterback Aaron Griffiths went unconverted, meaning the Exiles sneaked home by the narrowest of margins.
"When they scored their TDs they added the extra points and when we hit back we were still short," said head coach Dean Gibson.
"We had to go for it, so their defense knew what we were doing and were prepared for it." Despite the defeat there were encouraging signs in this showdown between the South-East Conference's leading sides.
"We know we can match them score-for-score and we can take a lot of confidence from that," added Gibson. "Defensively we held the line and dominated the scrimmage.
"We lost, but it didn't feel like a defeat."
Spartans now have a short break before travelling to Maidstone Pumas on May 9.
Published Thursday April 15, 2004
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