Needham Market go into Spennymoor Town match at Bloomfields with injury crisis with Ipswich Town loanee Nico Valentine suffering new blow

Rothery said: “Our success last season was no fluke, it took hard work on and off the pitch so we know what’s expected.

“How we get there may be cliche, but back to basics is the only place to go after a result like that.”

The Needham assistant boss however admitted the club's current injury list has not helped matters.

“Getting players out of the treatment room and on the pitch will certainly help,” he said.

“Players believing in themselves would also help but that’s not just a switch on or off thing.

“Clearly confidence is low but only we can change that so we need to work harder, stick to how we want to play to help us get the results we want and stick together. Be braver in and out of possession.

“Whilst we started reasonably well, most of the goals, probably aside from the sixth, are all avoidable by defending better.

“The second one’s a deflection, but even with that one we aren’t tight enough, and we should know that.

“But if we weren’t aware, giving teams time around the edge of your box is generally going to result in either a goal or an effort on goal.

“The injuries are hurting us and we don’t seem to get any luck but ultimately, you get back what you put in and collectively we aren’t doing enough.”

When asked about a quick reaction when Spennymoor visit the Ecologic Stadium Bloomfields tomorrow (3pm), Rothery added: “That will certainly be the aim.

“The league is relentless. We are propping everyone up now so we can either take it and fold or show some character and resolve.

“I know how good the men in the changing room can be so now they and we need to show that in abundance and come out swinging.”