FC CLACTON defender Lee Clowsley says he and his team-mates must dust themselves down and stay positive heading into this weekend’s trip to Wroxham.

The Seasiders suffered a rare off-day at the Rush Green Bowl on Saturday, losing 2-0 in their Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest against Gorleston.

Kieron Shelley’s side had only lost one of their previous nine league matches at home and had won four of their last five.

Clowsley admitted it was one of the hardest defeats of the season to accept but says it should not take the shine off what has been a positive first-half of the campaign.

“We can’t dwell on it and have to keep it in perspective,” he told the Gazette.

“It’s not going to be the most important game of our season and it won’t define our season.

“It’s important to reflect on it and consider where we went wrong and how we can improve.

“But after that it’s all about trying to improve at Wroxham on Saturday.

“It’s done now and we have to put it behind us and move on.

“There’s still a lot to be positive about and we’ve already got more points than we managed in the whole of last season.

“It’s nice to be where we are in the table and not looking up at everyone else.

“We’ve got a bit of breathing space and we certainly don’t feel like a bottom three or four side.

“We’ve got quality and if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep picking up results.

“We’ve been hard to beat at the Bowl and I don’t think sides like coming to Clacton.

“We’ve used that to our advantage this season.

“Last year, I don’t think we ever went into home games feeling like favourites.

“This time, we know we’re hard to beat and we always fancy our chances.”

Centre-half Clowsley has been a regular starter this season, playing a key role in his side’s improved form during the first half of the season.

He has formed a useful partnership with Harvey Cowler and also worn the captain’s armband in recent weeks, in the absence of regular skipper Wayne Chapman.

Gorleston scored in either half of Saturday’s contest, which went ahead after an early inspection of the heavy Bowl pitch.

“Speaking in the dressing room afterwards, we all said we didn’t know how we’d lost or where we’d gone wrong,” added Clowsley.

“Gorleston worked hard and didn’t allow us much time on the ball but they certainly didn’t outplay us.

“They had two shots and scored two goals, whereas we had all the possession, even when we were playing against the wind.

“We hit the bar and got into some good areas, although to be fair we didn’t create any clear-cut chances or test their keeper enough.

“We always work hard.

“That’s what we’re all about, but it makes it doubly disappointing when you put all that effort in and don’t get rewarded.

“It was probably one of the hardest results this season to accept.

“The pitch didn’t help. It was very heavy and slippery and we’re a side that likes to get the ball down and play football.”

Clacton are 14th in the table heading into this weekend’s match at Wroxham. They return to the Bowl next Saturday for a tricky contest against Coggeshall Town.