STOURBRIDGE assistant manager Jon Ford admits that confidence levels have hit rock bottom.

The Glassboys have not won in seven games after their poor form continued with a 2-1 away defeat against Witton Albion on Tuesday night.

The defeat followed last Saturday's 3-0 loss at play-off chasers Curzon Ashton.

Ford, who took charge of first team affairs on Tuesday in the absence of manager Gary Hackett, says the players are finding it hard.

"Confidence is very low in the dressing room and the players are finding it difficult after not winning for seven games," he said.

"At the moment we are playing as individuals rather than as a team. The first half against Witton was as bad as I have seen in many a year.

"The only way out of a spell like this is to stick together and rally around each other. Confidence will return but we have to keep fighting and improve our work ethic to get there."

Against Witton, Stour suffered another defeat despite a second half fightback.

The opening stages were tight with few chances at either end, although Dean Coleman had to be alert to save smartly from Alex Titchiner after seven minutes.

However, the home side did make the breakthrough on 35 minutes as Jamie Rainford fired home at the second attempt after a clever pass from Luke Clark.

And that advantage was doubled right on half time as Titchiner converted Jon Dawson's driven cross from the left.

Stourbridge were forced into a change at the break as Kayelden Brown replaced the injured Chris Knight, and it was Brown who cut the deficit and brought the Glassboys right back into the game just six minutes into the second period.

Any thoughts of a resurgence were dealt a blow as Reece Hales reacted to a tackle by Joe Shaw and shoved the Witton man to the ground leaving the referee with little option other than to show a red card.

Undeterred, the Glassboys continued to take the game to the hosts. But, despite a host of chances, they couldn't force at leveller.

"It was extremely disappointing," added Ford. "Throughout the first half we looked disjointed and lacking in every area.

"It was only in the second half when Kayelden Brown showed some fight that we started to improve.

"There were a lot of positives from the way we finished the game and we now have to carry that forwards."

The Glassboys will now welcome Blyth Spartans to the War Memorial Ground this Saturday.

Manager Hackett, who will be back in the dugout for the contest, has boosted his squad with the arrival of former Halesowen man Chris Lait. The winger came in from Rushall Olympic this week before making his debut against Witton.