Fakenham Town’s players have been urged to use a rare break in fixtures to regroup ahead of one final push towards the end of the season, writes Gareth Davis.

The Ghosts are currently on their worst losing run of the campaign having been beaten 3-1 at home to Brantham Athletic last Saturday – a fourth defeat on the spin. It’s a result that saw them drop into the bottom half of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division table for the first time in several months but with no game this weekend, the message is a clear one – ‘put it out of your minds and come back ready to kick on again’.

“Losing four games in a row is very unlike us, especially with how well the boys have performed over the last couple of years,” said manager Wayne Anderson.

“We have deserved more than we have got over these four matches but unfortunately we have lost them so perhaps it’s not a bad thing that we don’t have a game on Saturday.

“You’re always going to win games and lose games, particularly in your first season after promotion, but it is tough when you are on a losing run.

“A lot of the lads in the team have known nothing but winning in their time here so a break will do the lads good this weekend.

“Doing as well as we have done this season has been a brilliant achievement and the lads are more than capable of getting back up into the top half again so if they could do that and stay there, they would really deserve it.”

Fakenham slipped to 12th on the back of that defeat to Brantham at Clipbush Park. The encounter was level at 1-1 at half-time with Robbie Harris equalising thanks to his 13th goal of the season in all competitions. But two goals after the break saw the visitors take all three points and move above Fakenham in the table.

Brantham’s third came late on from the penalty spot with the Ghosts seeking an equaliser but instead a move ended with home goalkeeper Tommy Rix being sent off for a professional foul, and midfielder Matty Franks following him for comments made to the match referee.

Defender Lee Day took over between the posts but when Rix’s suspension is confirmed – details had not been cleared at the time of going to press – a decision will have to be made as to who takes his place. Rix has played every minute of every game going back to the latter part of the 2012/13 campaign while cover this season has been provided by reserve stopper Will Dunger, who has been an unused substitute.

Fakenham’s next Premier Division fixture is on March 28 when they visit FC Clacton.

The Ghosts’ reserves are on the road to Hemsby (2.30pm) this Saturday for a Anglian Combination Division Three match. Last Saturday they were beaten 6-2 at Brandon Town.