SHELL-SHOCKED FC Clacton boss Tom Austin pulled no punches in his assessment of Saturday’s “horrendous and embarrassing” defeat at home to Thurlow Nunn League basement boys Framlingham Town.

Despite taking a fourth-minute lead, the Seasiders were blown away and slumped to a 4-1 reverse at the Rush Green Bowl.

Framlingham notched four unanswered goals before the break and comfortably held onto their lead in the second half.

“It was horrendous and embarrassing,” said Austin.

“At the time, I thought scoring so early was brilliant.

“I hoped it would settle us down and that we’d go on to add more.

“But as it turned out, the opposite applied.

“It was the worst thing that could have happened and it was as though the boys switched off, thinking the job was done.

“We never got going after that, didn’t win individual battles and just weren’t good enough defensively.

“I warned the boys about complacency before the game.

“Framlingham had drawn with Wroxham recently and also beat Yarmouth.

“There was no way we could take them lightly but unfortunately that’s what happened.

“Framlingham also hit the bar and missed a one-on-one opportunity, so it could have been even worse.”

Jordan Brazitis opened the scoring to give Austin’s men the lead at a sun-drenched Bowl.

However, that was about the only bright spot on an otherwise terrible afternoon.

“I’ve been saying it all season but we’re just so Jekyll and Hyde,” added Austin.

“We turn it on one week and then throw in results and performances like this the next.

“It’s just not good enough and needs to change, if we’ve got genuine hopes of being a top-six or seven side next season. I feel sorry for the fans, who paid their money to watch us and deserved better.

“No-one saw it coming and it was a missed opportunity to close the gap on Kirkley and Wroxham, who didn’t play, and Walsham, who lost at home to Ely.”

Next up for the Seasiders is Saturday’s premier division trip to fourth-placed Stowmarket Town.

Clacton’s reserves were in Essex and Suffolk Border League second division action at home to Cavendish on Tuesday and won 3-1.

It was their final game of the season.

Meanwhile, Clacton's under-18s called off their game at Bury Town on Monday.

It was their third call-off in recent weeks.

As a result, they have been removed from the league for a minimum of two seasons and have forfeited their remaining fixtures.