A FRUSTRATED Frank Gray admitted that his side performed poorly in losing to St Albans.

Basingstoke Town were out-fought by a physical and hard-working St Albans side on Saturday – and Gray acknowledged that his players had not been good enough.

“They got to second balls better than us at both ends and that was the really disappointing thing,” he said.

“The first goal was typical of that because Simon Locke made a great save but it was a St Albans player who was first to react.

“We did not perform today and it was as simple as that. Individually and as a unit we were poor.”

To rub salt into the wound, two of Town’s most important players are doubtful for tomorrow’s trip to Dorchester (kick-off 7.45pm) after picking up injuries.

Striker David Pratt needs a scan on his shoulder after aggravating an existing problem while defender Ross Adams may be struggling for the trip to Dorset after picking up a knock.

Saturday’s defeat has put added emphasis on tomorrow’s game – and Gray is looking for a reaction from his side.

“We have got to bounce back and put that behind us,” he said.

“We have got two away games now and have got to pick points up.

“Dorchester are physical and will put us under pressure. We did not handle that today and need to make sure we do better on Tuesday.”

Gray is on the lookout for new midfielders after it was announced that Steve Laidler and Tom Williamson are leaving next month to spend a year in Australia.

The Town boss said: “We have got replacements in mind and hopefully something will happen in the next couple of weeks – but we need to get the right players in.”

Better news is that centre-back Callum Reynolds has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the season, while goalkeeper Lee Allen has been sent on loan to Hartley Wintney.

Basingstoke’s Blue Square South trip to Thurrock, which was postponed last week, will now take place on Tuesday March 8.