FC CLACTON boss Kieron Shelley insists his side must stick to their guns by continuing to play passing football.

The Seasiders had a difficult afternoon on a challenging Rush Green Bowl surface when losing 2-0 at home to Gorleston on Saturday.

The game only went ahead after the pitch passed a morning inspection, following heavy rain last week.

Clacton came up short in the end but Shelley is adamant his side must keep playing the right way in order to move forward in 2018.

“We started brightly and moved the ball around nicely, considering the pitch,” he said.

“We’re not going to change the way we play because the playing surface isn’t good and we’re not a side that wants to kick the ball long.

“We still want to play football and while we sometimes overplay it at the back, I thought we coped pretty well with the conditions.

“Then, 20 minutes in, Gorleston scored from their first attack. Bang. 1-0.

“It’s about being clinical and taking chances and that took the wind out of our sails.

“We got our rhythm back towards the end of the first half.

“We got on the ball and had a few shots, including one off the bar, but couldn’t create anything clear-cut.

“In the second half the boys tried to take on board the things we’d said at half-time.

“They came out with intent to get back in the game.

“They tried to play in the right areas and were pressing for an equaliser but then conceded a sloppy second goal, giving away a needless corner and then switching off when the delivery came in.”

Shelley admitted Saturday’s defeat was a bitter pill to swallow but believes his players have the character to get back on track in this weekend’s match at Wroxham.

“Gorleston had one clear chance in the first half and one in the second and scored from both,” he said.

“They haven’t come here and outplayed us and it’s hard to take.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow but sometimes you have to take a step back and remember that we dominated the game.

“We just didn’t have an end product.

“However, we’re still a good, strong and physical side.

“We’re now looking over our shoulders again and that’s not the position we want to be in.

“But I know we’ve got a group of players with enough character to not let it affect them.

“They will dust themselves down and go again on Saturday.

“That’s what we try to preach over here.”