Harrogate Town have lost their last two league games plus two cup-ties

Harrogate Town manager Neil Aspin has warned his players they must improve if they are to stay in the promotion hunt in Blue Square North.

Town's interest in cup competitions ended with a 2-0 defeat at Durham City in the FA Trophy first round.

Aspin told BBC Radio York: "We've got to improve, otherwise we'll only go one way and that will be down the table.

"We haven't got a big squad, but we've still got enough out there on the pitch to be winning matches," he added.

A set-piece goal and a soft penalty ended Town's FA Trophy hopes on Durham's artificial pitch, but Aspin said the unusual surface was not to blame.

When you're struggling as we are, everybody needs to give a bit more Neil Aspin

"It is an advantage for the home team, but that's not the reason you give away two soft goals like we did," Aspin added.

Town are fourth in the table but have lost their last three games (four if you include a West Riding County Cup tie) and are in danger of slipping out of the promotion play-off zone.

"We've got to try and turn things round," Aspin added, "and it doesn't just happen in football.

"When you're winning confidence is high, it's quite an easy job, but when you're struggling as we are, everybody needs to give a bit more.

"It isn't a crisis, but we're certainly not playing as well as we did earlier in the season."

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