CARL Macauley believes Witton Albion’s poor run of results is down his players being low on confidence rather than a lack of quality.

A defeat at Buxton on Tuesday was their fifth in the past half-dozen Northern Premier League matches, and a third in a row without scoring a goal.

However the manager insists a side that occupied top spot in the table little more than a fortnight ago hasn’t become a bad one.

They attempt to arrest their slide at Hednesford tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

“We haven’t been in this position before,” he said.

“I remember us losing the first four games after I was appointed – three in the league and another in the FA Trophy – but that’s the only time it’s happened in two years.

“The players’ belief has taken a hit, and they’re finding it tough. It’s a learning experience, and they’ve been used to winning.

“It’s important not to overreact though; we’re 10th in the table, and we’d probably have taken that at the start of October had you offered it to us before the first game of the season.

“It’s just the order in which it’s happened, after we’d had such a good start, that’s left people feeling disappointed.”

The first goal at Keys Park on Saturday could be crucial.

Albion have gone behind in seven of their 15 Premier Division fixtures to date and only once, in a 1-1 draw against Marine, have they recovered to avoid losing.

Macauley said: “Last season we seemed to have a knack of getting back into games, but we’re struggling to dig out a result at the moment.

“It’s important to keep everybody’s chin up and keep on working hard.

“I think it’s vital we maintain our intensity no matter how a game is going or what the score is.

“It’s true that we probably need a bit of luck, certainly in front of goal, but I don’t think we’re a million miles away.”