BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent Reserves boss Lee Clark says his side must stick to their footballing principles - and hopes they are rewarded with points in the closing weeks of the season.

The Taydal Stadium team are second from bottom in Thurlow Nunn League first division south after conceding a last-gasp winner in Friday's 3-2 defeat against Harwich and Parkeston.

They had fought back from behind twice thanks to goals from Charlie Gilbert and Charlie Lindoe.

And while the final score was tough to take, Clark, assistant Glen Last and coach Adam Munn want their side to keep playing the same way during the run-in.

He hopes they will be rewarded with enough points to hoist them up the table.

“We try and play nice football and pass the ball," he said.

"Sometimes, if anything, we’re almost guilty of over-passing, especially in the final third.

“We’re finding it tough, in terms of results.

“A lot of sides say we play nice football but unfortunately it’s not reflected in our points tally.

“It’s nice to hear and flattering - we’re obviously doing something right - but we’ve got to start picking up results, especially at home.

"We know it’s a results business.

“We need to find a level of consistency but if we keep playing like that, I think we’ll be OK.

“April is a really crucial month for us.

“We play all the sides around us and there are a few six-pointers.

“In particular, we’ve got to win our home games.

“We’re not sure what the situation will be in terms of relegation but we want to finish clear of the bottom places.

“However, we have to be realistic.

"We’re down there for a reason and have to learn fast."

Clark felt his side were desperately unlucky to finish empty-handed on Friday night.

Having equalised twice, cancelling out an own goal and one from Jordan Heath, promotion-chasing Harwich grabbed a stoppage-time winner through Callum Griffith.

“It was a real killer to concede in the final minute, after coming back twice," said Clark.

“We needed to pick up a point, from that position, and it was tough to take.

“The boys were all gutted but we’ll pick them up and go again.

“It was our third game in six days so maybe we got a bit tired towards the end.

“Credit to Harwich, though.

“They’ve got the steel to keep going and the experience we hope to have in two or three years’ time.

“If someone had told me we’d be in the game with a couple of minutes left I’d have taken it, but we ended up with nothing.

“Harwich have a never-say-die attitude and we need to adopt that too.

“They kept going until the very end and we need to be like that.

“I’m proud of the lads, though, and we’ll keep going."

Clark says he has relished the challenge of leading Regent's second team in their first season at Thurlow Nunn League level.

“I’ve enjoyed it and it’s lovely being part of the club," he said.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity and have enjoyed the challenge, even if there have been a few sleepless nights along the way."

Regent's reserves are away to Frenford on Saturday.