STOURBRIDGE must find consistency in their performances if they are to realise their goal of a Northern Premier League play-off place, says manager Gary Hackett.

A disappointing second half performance at promotion rivals Barwell on Tuesday night saw the Glassboys fail to make up further ground on the top five.

It was a showing that disappointed Hackett and had him demanding his players start to put a run of league wins together.

He said: "Consistency is important for any team. We have to put a run of games together if we want to push up the table.That is the challenge now.

"We have done really well recently with wins against Salford, Skelmersdale and Braintree in the FA Trophy before that. That made it even more disappointing to lose against Barwell.

"The players didn't play to instruction in the second half and I have spoken to them about that.

"We were comfortable for the first 43 minutes playing against the elements and the slope of the pitch but then gifted them a poor goal.

"That gave them a foothold in the clash and was a real game changer."

Stour have not put three successive league wins together since they beat Hyde, Colwyn Bay and Sutton Coldfield back in October.

The Barwell loss saw Stour fail to build on back-to-back league wins against Salford City and Skelmersdale United.

The Glassboys beat Skelmersdale 3-1 at Amblecote last Saturday thanks to goals from Karl Hawley, Matt Dodd and Dan Scarr. They had to play most of the second half with ten men following Dodd's straight red for a late tackle, but the hosts were always doing enough to come out on top from a scrappy encounter.

"We always had that extra quality to get the win," added Hackett. "It was a good win against a side who were buoyed by a mid-week victory."

The War Memorial Ground boss says he is now targeting six points from the next two home games to get their promotion push firmly back on track.

Stour will take on Hyde United this Saturday (3pm) before welcoming Marine on Monday night (7.45pm).

"We now have two home games coming up and I want the players to bounce back and pick up maximum points," said Hackett.

"Everyone knows what's required of them. There is still 60 points to play for, as well as the FA Trophy, so it is an exciting time. We just need to hit back quickly."

Justin Richards missed Tuesday's xclash after picking up an ankle injury against Skelmersdale but should be back in contention this weekend.

Meanwhile, a move for Livingston goalkeeper Matt Gould should be completed this week as soon as the club receive international clearance.

Gould is the grandson of former Wales and West Brom boss Bobby Gould and the son of current Albion goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould.