CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier says his side must look back on their success of last season if they are to make any progress going forward in National League South.

The 2-1 defeat at home to Hungerford Town on New Year’s Day was a fourth straight defeat for the Bluebirds, leaving them in the midst of a run of just two victories in their last eight outings.

A disappointing first half saw the visitors take a 2-0 lead, as well as missing a penalty, while substitute Josh Smile netted a sublime free-kick to reduce the deficit.

In their Southern League Premier title-winning season last term, the Bluebirds suffered just five league defeats throughout the campaign and Collier says he would like to see his troops regain that winning mentality.

“The game was a typical tight one, between two teams who know each other well and it was about fine margins,” said Collier.

“Unfortunately, we fell short in the first half. An individual error cost us the first goal and from then, you have to stay in the game.

“We didn’t manage to do that, which was disappointing, so that is something we definitely have to try and rectify.

“Lady luck certainly isn’t on our side at the moment. There is no point getting down about it, we have to work hard and try to get through it.

“Players have lost confidence and this time last year, we had a siege mentality and could win games when we weren’t in good form.

“In this division, the league has proved that we need to be on our game if we are going to get anything from matches.

“If we give the opposition 10 chances, they are going to take eight of them and that is the situation we are in.”

Collier also acknowledged that the knock-on effect of the current poor run has resulted in a dip in confidence within his players.

The Chippenham chief says it is down to him to be the catalyst for a turnaround in fortunes and he will give his all to ensure the players to remain positive. “There is a lot of doom around at the moment but we are in there, we are fighting,” he added.

“We’ve lost four on the spin and that is not what we are used to because we are used to winning football matches.

“I have to make sure that I am nice and bright, because without that you can feel sorry for yourselves.

“We need all the support we can get from the fan base and everybody else at the club.”