SHRIVENHAM player-manager Sam Collier insists that there is no need to panic after his team fell to their fourth consecutive defeat during his fledgling tenure.

The Barrington Park side took a 1-0 lead into the interval at Hellenic League Premier Division high-flyers Highmoor Ibis.

A Dane Moulden free-kick evaded everyone in the Highmoor area before floating into the top corner to give the visitors a fine start.

However, their Palmer Park Stadium hosts hit back with two quick goals at the start of the second half.

Tristan Campbell fired home a sublime free-kick in the 46th minute before Ray Spence drilled in a penalty 60 seconds later after he was brought down in the Shrivenham box.

But Collier, who took charge following the sudden and tragic passing of Dave Turner last month, believes that the side are heading in the right direction.

“It hasn’t been the easiest of starts,” he said. “But it was two dead ball situations that have killed us.

“We are sticking together, working hard and to be honest there isn’t that much that needs altering.

“We are just not getting the rub of the green.”

The defeat leaves Shrivenham languishing in 16th place in the table on 21 points and it is only their superior goal difference that is keeping them out of the bottom three as both Newbury and Holyport are on the same number of points.

Yet despite having not seen his side win Collier is remaining calm and focused.

“There are still 11 games left,” he said. “There is no need to panic.

“We are all working together, the performances are there, we just need that little bit of luck.

“We’ll be training again on Tuesday night and making sure that we prepare properly for our next game.”

However, it will be another clash with Wantage Town for Shrivenham, the third time that the two sides have met since Collier has had the reins.

Collier said: “It’ll be the third time in just over two weeks that we have played the, so it is not getting any easier.

“But against Highmoor we controlled the first-half, there was only one team in it.

“We were solid at the back and their keeper a good save stop Steve Robertson making it 2-0.

“If we can keep playing like we are and start getting the rub of green a bit more then I’m sure that the results will start to come our way.”

While happy with his squad, Collier is hoping to freshen it up before Saturday’s visit of Wantage.

“I’m talking with one lad at the moment and hopefully he’ll be in before the weekend.”