BRANTHAM Athletic boss Paul Skingley is demanding a positive reaction from his players in today’s FA Vase showdown against Brimsdown.

The Imps were left shell-shocked after losing 2-0 at FC Clacton on Tuesday night.

It was their second successive Thurlow Nunn League premier division defeat, having lost 2-1 at home to reigning champions Norwich United on Saturday.

And it allowed the Seasiders to complete a quick-fire double over Brantham, having won 1-0 at the Leisure Centre in August.

Now Skingley wants his players to bounce back in today’s second qualifying round tie against Brimsdown.

The Spartan South Midlands League side had been due to have home advantage, but the tie was switched because Enfield Town, who they ground share with, are at home to Leatherhead.

“We need a response,” said Skingley.

“I still believe we’re capable of beating anyone on our day and giving anyone a game.

“We have to get back to that and haven’t become a bad side overnight.

“But we have to play better than we did on Tuesday.

“It felt like a complete waste of an evening, to be honest.

“There wasn’t much football played by either side and it wasn’t a great advert for the league.

“Clacton probably wanted it more than us – which hurts me to say – but they didn’t trouble us from open play.

"Instead, they scored from two more set-pieces – one from a corner that should have been dealt with and one from a free-kick – and we can’t keep conceding in that manner.

“Clacton didn’t have to work too hard for their goals.

“We didn’t defend well, attack well or pass the ball well, so it was just a bad night at the office.”