BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow says that his players must put Tuesday night’s disappointing performance against Whitehawk behind them as they prepare for a tough trip to Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.

The Camrose club went down 3-1 to struggling Whitehawk, producing a performance that Bristow admitted was one of their worst of the season.

They have now won just one of their last nine games against Conference South opposition and sit 12th in the table – but they remain just five points outside the play-off places.

Bristow said: “We were poor on Tuesday and it is important that we go to Eastbourne and put it behind us. The sooner that training on Thursday night comes around, the better as far as I am concerned.

“We have got to be a bit more professional in terms of managing the game because we make it tough for ourselves at times. It is important that we do not concede goals and give sides a lift.”

The players will be desperate to bounce back from the disappointment of Tuesday night, but Eastbourne will provide a tough test in Sussex on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

They have lost their last two games but sit eighth in the table, three points above Town.

“Eastbourne will be tough to beat and it’s a difficult place to go to at this time of year, especially if it is windy,” Bristow added. “They do not concede many goals and will be very well organised.

“We will have to be on our game and put in a much better performance than we did on Tuesday night.”

Bristow is hoping that both Simon Dunn and Ben Wright will be fit to play after missing Tuesday’s game through injury.

Next Tuesday, Town will look to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup when they make the short trip to Whitchurch United.

Bristow said: “It is something different but the Hampshire Cup brings its own excitement and pressure.

“If we play the way we can then the result should take care of itself. We will certainly not take Whitchurch lightly though. They have a lot of local players who will want to get one over on us and they are doing really well in their league.”

Former Tottenham youngster Billy Granger could make his Town debut against Whitchurch. The goalkeeper has been signed on non-contract terms as cover for Joe McDonnell, who has suffered a dislocated finger.

Visit basingstokegazette.co.uk/sport for live text coverage from Eastbourne and Whitchurch.