FC CLACTON assistant boss Ade Webster has challenged his ambitious players to be in the top six by Christmas.

The Seasiders are tenth in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division after grabbing a late equaliser and drawing 3-3 at home to Kirkley and Pakefield, on Saturday.

Adam Hampson slotted home from the penalty spot a minute from time after Clacton found themselves 3-2 down, despite having opened a two-goal lead through Charlie Thompson and Jake Plane.

Webster was disappointed with aspects of his side’s performance – missed chances and the goals they conceded – and felt it was a case of “three points dropped”.

However, he sees great promise in the squad and believes they should be pushing in the higher echelons of the table.

“(Manager) Tommy (Austin) was away at the weekend and we would have loved to get a result for him,” said former Colchester United coach Webster.

“He’s put a lot of time, effort and energy into putting this squad together.

“When you score three goals at home, you’d expect it to be enough.

“Nevertheless, I’d love to think that by the end of the year we could be in the top six, really pushing.

“For me, it's achievable and I’ve said that ever since I came to Clacton.

“With the players we’ve got here, I think the club should be pushing for Bostik League football.

“That’s where we should be aiming.”

Clacton found themselves two-up thanks to Thompson’s far-post header and a low, deflected free-kick from Plane.

But Kirkley threw themselves a lifeline and then drew level from the penalty spot, after a foul by Lee Clowsley.

The Suffolk side thought they had grabbed a late winner but Clacton salvaged a point – the least they deserved – after a late penalty by Hampson, after the referee spotted a handball from Plane’s free-kick.

“We don’t seem to be able to see games out, which is frustrating,” added Webster.

“In fairness, heads didn’t drop when we were losing 3-2.

“We got the penalty to secure a point but should never have been in that position.

“For me, it was still three points dropped, let alone two.

“We scored three but it could have been six, easily.

“We don’t seem to be learning from our mistakes and it’s been the story of our season.

“Some of the goals we’re conceding are coming from schoolboy errors.”

Clacton head to Godmanchester Rovers on Saturday before their big FA Vase date at Buckingham Town on October 13.

They have plenty to look forward to and Webster is hoping for a stronger squad, with key players missing against Kirkley.

“(Captain) Wayne (Chapman) coming back into the side gave us something extra but we need more leaders,” he said.

“We’ve got a good squad but we had another four players missing on Saturday.

“You can’t get that continuity and cohesion you’re looking for when you’re having to chop and change the side all the time.

“It would be so nice to have a squad of 15 or 16 players.”