FC CLACTON manager Kieron Shelley admits his side have “hit a brick wall” after making a miserable start to 2018.

The Seasiders are yet to score a goal or collect a point this year and their woe continued with a 5-0 defeat at home to Godmanchester Rovers on Saturday.

They have dropped to 18th in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division ahead of two tricky away games, at Gorleston on Saturday and Great Yarmouth on February 17.

Shelley was bitterly disappointed by his players’ reaction to conceding after just two minutes and says the spirit and determination to put things right has to come from within.

“We’ve hit a brick wall,” said the Clacton boss.

“Things have gone flat and while I’ll always do my best to gee people up and sort things out, there’s only so much I can do.

“It’s down to individuals’ attitudes and the quicker the penny drops the better, because I’m getting bored of saying the same things and losing football matches.

“I still believe this team is good enough to compete – maybe not at the top of the table or even the middle but certainly within this league.

“But what we have to do is match teams in terms of desire, work-rate and heart.

“When that doesn’t happen, we’re setting ourselves up for failure.

“We’re going to be up against it every week and we have to face facts – that’s what’s happening to us at the moment.”

Shelley admits his side “rolled over” on Saturday.

Two-down at the break, they never looked like getting back in the game and ended up shipping three more in the second half.

It means their last goals and points came from the 4-3 victory against Wivenhoe Town on Boxing Day.

“The players say the right things before and after games and at half-time, but saying it and producing it are two separate things,” added Shelley.

“The minute something doesn’t go right, they’re too quick to roll over and I’ve never been involved with a group of players like that.

“People pay to watch us and if any of the boys went home afterwards and felt they’d done enough, I’d strongly disagree.”

Plane was dismissed for two yellow cards.

It was his second sending-off of the season and the team’s eighth dismissal.

Kevin Coyle was making his 400th Seasiders appearance.

Both sets of players formed a guard of honour for him and a special presentation was made by Seasiders co-owner Stephen Andrews.

The Seasiders’ reserves also lost 5-0, against Gas Recreation Reserves, in the Essex and Suffolk Border League.