Gary McCann has stayed positive despite two disappointments in the past week.

After losing on penalties to Wealdsone in the Middesex Senior Cup a week ago, he said, "I thought we played really well against a team in the league above us. They were at near full strength and it was not until the last five minutes that they really caused us problems.

"In the first half, in particular, I thought we dominated and probably should have been ahead. The move that led to Sam Murphy shooting over the bar was exceptional and it is disappointing that he didn't force the goalkeeper to make a save.

"There were other chances too, that required just a little more composure. In the second half, Wealdstone did put us under more pressure, but we certainly had our chances.

"For most of the game you would not have known which team was in the National League South and which was struggling in the Ryman Premier and speaks volumes for the quality of our performance. It was only in the last five minutes that they got at us.

"Losing on penalties was obviously very disappointing because it would have been nice to have a cup final to look forward to."

As for the Saturday defeat at Billericay, McCann noted, "This was not a game we deserved to lose at all, let alone by 4-1. But how many times have I said recently that the performance merited one or three points but we ended up with none?

"It has been the story of our season. The defence did well in dealing with most of what Billericay did from open play, but we have not defended set plays well enough, especially the second phases. Most set play goals don't come from the first phase, but we have to be much better in dealing with these second phases.

"For the first 10 or so minutes, I thought we were excellent and could have been in front. But then, from their first real attack, they scored and it knocked us back.

"It seems that when we start well and concede in this way, we don't recover from the blow quickly and it showed again at Billericay as they then went 3-0 up. We had some very good passages of play and some excellent chances in the early stages, but we did not do enough to turn the pressure into goals.

"I am continuing to work on all aspects of our game, but especially defensively. But with all the new faces in the team they have got to get to know everyone very quickly and have no period of bedding in. We continue to fight for survival."