FC CLACTON manager Tom Austin has challenged his in-form players to string together a ten-game winning run.

The Seasiders made it five in a row following Tuesday's 5-3 victory against Whitton United.

Jordan Lartey scored a first-half hat-trick and there were also two goals for Jake Clowsley, in the Thurlow Nunn League contest.

It came hot on the heels of a 2-0 victory at Risborough Rangers in the FA Vase first qualifying round on Saturday, with both goals coming from Clowsley.

And with confidence sky-high, Austin sees no reason why the feelgood factor should come to an end.

"To have won five in a row and still be unbeaten at home is something to be proud of," he said.

"There are so many positives and now the target should be to make it ten.

"Our confidence is sky-high and there's no reason why that can't happen.

"We don't want this run to end and for us, as a management team, it's about keeping standards high.

"A run like that would set us up for the season and we're going to push as hard as we can.

"We're playing attractive football and there's a clear pattern to our play, which is something we've worked hard on in training."

Clacton's midweek win meant they leapfrogged Whitton, climbing to eighth in the table, with two games in hand on the Suffolk side.

The Seasiders will also have been keen to discover the result of Tuesday's Vase replay between Saffron Walden Town and Biggleswade United.

The teams needed to meet again after drawing 4-4 on Saturday.

Clacton were handed a trip to the winners in Monday’s draw and it was Saffron Walden who triumphed 5-1, meaning Austin's men will visit the Essex Senior League side on November 2.

"It wasn't a great spectacle but I was really proud of the boys, to go there and grind out a result," said Austin, reflecting on Saturday's win at Hellenic League division one east leaders Risborough.

"All that mattered was the fact we're in the next round and now we play Saffron Walden.

"They're a team we know well but it'll be a tough game.

"They're second in their league and it's not an easy place to go.

"We know we'll have to be at it from the start but that applies in every game.

"We've set a precedent in that respect.

"We want to achieve something this season and for that to happen, we can't afford to let the bar drop in terms of effort and workrate.

"The minute it does, we'll be punished."