CHESHAM United boss Andy Leese blasted his players for failing to show collective responsibility for seeing a game out as they gave away a 4-1 lead this week.

They missed the chance to close on the chasing pack in the Southern Premier League as Tuesday night's lead against Cambridge City was converted into a 4-4 draw, with the visitors scoring three times in eight minutes.

United are unbeaten in eight but Leese said his side should have accumulated more points from that run to put them higher in the table than tenth.

He said: "I won't beat about the bush, it's not good enough at any level of football, especially with the senior players we had out there. Not to close a game out was extremely disappointing.

"At half time I didn't feel a 3-1 lead was enough. We weren't in control and we didn't do what we asked.

"We allowed Cambridge to get into the game and I don't think I'm being disrespectful by saying they didn't have to work very hard for any of the goals. They seemed to waltz through us at times.

"I was speechless last night and I still am now.

"We seem to have an issue with seeing games out. It's a collective rather than individual thing - something just doesn't add up.

"We didn't defend well from the front, we didn't get close enough across the middle of the park, and at the back we were anxious to get the ball first when it wasn't ours to win. I'm sorry, but from 4-1 up you shouldn't be drawing a game."

The Generals drew on Saturday as well but this time had to come from two down to claim a point against a Redditch United side who had scored 16 goals in their previous three fixtures.

Leese said: "At half time I felt we were still in the game and we showed great character to come back in the second half.

"We've gone unbeaten this month, so you can't knock them for that, but without a doubt we should be five or six points better off."

United are away to Burgess Hill Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday and Leese said: "We're playing a team from the level below who are absolutely flying. We've got ourselves a tough draw."

Meanwhile Leese is hoping Ryan Towner's future is resolved soon after the midfielder played a second trial match with League One side Barnsley this week.

He said: "I keep asking. He's got a rep and I'm sure I'll hear soon.

"I know he played another game for them on Tuesday. It's unsettling for us because that's two games he's had to miss for us.

"I'm not sure how long any decision making process will take. I hope for his sake it's positive news. He's used to full time football and I've got no problem with that, but we need to have a bit of certainty."

With Towner's situation unclear, Leese has swooped to sign Burnham skipper Nathan Poulter.