Walton & Hersham boss Jimmy Bolton is hoping that his side’s first defeat of the season will not signal a slide in fortunes for the Swans.

Bolton saw his side lose their unbeaten Ryman South record, and top spot, when they crashed 2-1 to lowly Whyteleafe on Saturday.

But the Walton manager is confident the reverse could be just the jolt his players need.

Bolton said: “I think some of the players were getting a bit carried away with their status and where we are in the league.

“The performance levels dropped a little bit and that was enough for us to lose.

“We have to work very hard to get anything out of any game we play.

“It is a very competitive league and we cannot simply turn things on.”

Walton’s solitary strike on Saturday came courtesy of new signing Dave Stevens, which looked like grabbing a point for the Swans.

But in pressing for a winner, Walton were hit on the break.

Bolton fumed: “For the first 35 minutes we never really turned up.

“We did not get to grips with the way they were playing.

“It was the worst we have played this season.

“But we got ourselves back in the game and should have taken a point.

“I was screaming at the players to keep their shape but they went rushing for a winner and got punished.”

Walton now look forward to the visit of Sittingbourne on Saturday as they look to get things back on track.

And Bolton is confident things are still moving forward.

He added: “I have not been getting carried away with the wins and this does not suddenly make us a bad side.

“Our aim is to make the play-offs and at present things are looking good.”

Walton & Hersham’s next three matches: Sep 27 Sittingbourne (h), 30 Cray Wanderers (a), Oct 11 Fleet Town (h)