Hendon boss Gary McCann labelled his side’s performance embarrassing as former player Leon Smith hit a hat-trick in Metropolitan Police’s 3-0 win on Saturday.

Defeat leaves the Greens 18th in the Isthmian Premier Division – six points above the relegation zone.

It was an especially galling loss for McCann and Hendon with former Greens striker Smith – who only left at the end of 2015 – doing the damage for Met Police who included another former player in Andre da Costa.

“My evaluation was that in no area of the pitch were we satisfactory,” McCann told the club’s website.

“Our central defenders were torn apart by a player who struggled to get into our team before leaving earlier this season and we knew that he would be up for it.

“We didn't win any midfield duals or battles and the offensive players didn't affect the game but it must be said that the service to them was unsatisfactory.

“We can all dress it up and say one competitive games in five weeks was a factor, but that doesn't work. It was embarrassingly poor.

“It was a performance that I didn't see coming and that infuriated me more. Momentum and confidence is everything in football and we now have to recreate it.”

Hendon host Croydon in the London Senior Cup at Silver Jubilee Park this evening (7.45pm kick off) and McCann insists the game will be valuable.

He said: “The game at SJP has taken added importance.

“We had been looking to get minutes into some players, but now the team selection will be with Saturday in mind.”