FC CLACTON boss Tom Austin is demanding an improvement when his off-colour side head to high-flying Stowmarket Town on Saturday.

The Seasiders were left licking their wounds last weekend after suffering a 4-1 defeat at home to Thurlow Nunn League premier division basement boys Framlingham Town.

Despite Jordan Brazitis giving them a fourth-minute start, the visitors belied their lowly position by hitting back with four first-half goals.

"To say I'm looking for a reaction and improvement would be an understatement," said an angry Austin.

"If we play and defend like we did last week, they'll roll us over by eight or nine goals.

"That's how bad we were.

"But if we play to our capability, there's no reason why we can't go there and get a result.

"Maybe the boys are more motivated against the bigger sides.

"We certainly seem to play better in those matches and I'm obviously hoping that's going to be the case at Stowmarket.

"We'll need to be solid and defend well, hopefully hitting them on the counter-attack.

"I can't put my finger on why last week happened and, to be fair, the boys were hurting, too.

"They know that kind of performance isn't good enough."

Goalkeeper Joe Fowler is available again after missing the last three matches.

Kyelan Marvell is also back in training after injury while skipper Wayne Chapman is fit again, having come on as a substitute against Framlingham.

Clacton are ninth in the premier division table and, after this weekend, their next four matches are all at the Rush Green Bowl.

They host Gorleston on Tuesday before home fixtures against Great Yarmouth Town, Walsham-le-Willows and Brantham Athletic.

Their final game of the season is the return match at Gorleston, on April 27.