BASINGSTOKE Town boss Terry Brown is determined to lift his players, after they suffered back-to-back losses in their opening two games of their Southern League Premier Division campaign.

After last Saturday's narrow 1-0 defeat to visiting Banbury, the Dragons suffered a 4-0 loss in Wales against Merthyr Town on Tuesday night.

Next up for the Brown's boys is a trip to Stratfield Town, beaten at home 4-2 by Redditch in their last outing. Then on Tuesday night (7.45pm), Hayes and Yeading will visit the Ark Cancer Charity Stadium.

Brown said: "I have no problem with the results of the first two games. I think during pre-season we were playing with no fear and now we look nervous. Being a young team it is my job to lift them and make sure they do not dwell on the defeats.

"The positive from both games is that the players kept going until the final whistle which was pleasing to see."

Brown has some fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Warwickshire, as Robert Atkinson (knee) and Richie Whittingham (heel) picked up knocks in the Merthyr loss.

Meanwhile, striker Aaron Redford is going for a scan on his knee injury early next week.

Brown added: "We have had Stratfield watched and they looked a good team, but at the moment it is matter of steadying the ship and getting some points on the board."