SWINDON Supermarine manager Lee Spalding has told his troops they must improve if they want to make it back-to-back wins at the start of the Southern League Premier Division South season tonight.

Marine travel to Hartley Wintney having claimed a 3-2 success at home to Walton Casuals in Saturday’s season opener.

That victory was far from straightforward as Marine were behind on the scoreboard with two minutes of the 90 left on the clock.

They were indebted to the intervention of substitute Kane Simpson, who not only scored a late equaliser but also popped up with a stoppage-time winner too.

Spalding says his side will not be so fortunate should they start this evening’s game in Hampshire in a similar slack manner.

“It is a difficult place to go – it is not the best pitch and on a big slope,” said Spalding.

“I know we can play a lot better than we did on Saturday. We didn’t play well and we got a result, so that is a great sign.

“You don’t always play well and win. Sometimes you have to roll your sleeves up and show character, and we will need to do that again on Tuesday because Hartley Wintney are tough opposition.

“We will need to be better than we were on Saturday to win on Tuesday, that’s for definite, and I am sure we will be.

“The lads know that and it is good that we got a reaction and won the game. That’s a massive positive going forwards.”

Spalding felt his side’s opening-day victory was down to both the depth of the squad he has assembled but also their strength of their mindset.

And the Marine manager hopes that can continue to come to the fore throughout the campaign.

“The spirit in the group is really good, we have got a really good group of players,” said Spalding.

“We have got a strong squad, which we are going to need, and that showed on Saturday. Last season, I wouldn’t have been able to change it like I did on Saturday.

“It is not a case of people being squad players, everyone is part of the team. If everyone buys into that attitude of giving a reaction when they come on, then that can help turn games in our favour.”

Elsewhere, Hellenic League Premier Division sides Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Shrivenham face FA Cup extra preliminary qualifying round replays following draws in Saturday’s original ties.

Bassett travel to Aylesbury Dynamos, while Shrivvy face a trip to Holmer Green.