Ely City boss Brady Stone is not panicking despite his side’s slump.

Ely Standard: Ollie Brookes scored Ely City's goal in their defeat at Brantham. Picture: ELY CITY FCOllie Brookes scored Ely City's goal in their defeat at Brantham. Picture: ELY CITY FC (Image: Archant)

The Robins have only picked up one point from their last six Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division fixtures to slide into the bottom half of the standings, but Stone stresses their performances have been better than their run of results might suggest.

“We’re playing well but we’re just not putting the chances away,” said Stone.

“We’ve been ahead with 20 minutes to go in our last two games and ended up with nothing.

“We were seeing games out well earlier in the season and we have to get back to doing that.

“Maybe it’s a case of concentration. Maybe it’s just people being a bit lethargic as the end of the season is getting closer.

“Either way we need to be a bit more streetwise and a bit more ruthless in both boxes.

“It’s disappointing to have slipped down the table after sitting in a good position, but I’d be more worried if we were playing poorly.”

City led 3-1 at Newmarket last Tuesday before succumbing to a 4-3 loss and they also held the lead at Brantham last Saturday.

Ollie Brookes headed them ahead on the east coast early in the second half after the home side failed to deal with a Jamie Thurlbourne corner.

Thurlbourne had earlier been denied by a post in the first half and Deaken Napier then missed a glorious opportunity to double the Robins’ lead after dancing through the Brantham defence.

But City couldn’t hold onto their advantage as Brantham struck twice to snatch the points.

Life is not about to get any easier for Stone’s side as they entertain title-chasing Felixstowe & Walton this Saturday, 3pm. James Seymour will rest a knee problem while Lee Reed is unavailable due to work commitments.

A Tuesday trip to Saffron Walden, 7.45pm, then follows and Stone added: “Felixstowe are going for promotion and the title so Saturday is going to be very tough.

“We led at half-time 1-0 at their place earlier in the season and ended up losing 5-1. As soon as they got in control they destroyed us and we have to mindful of that.

“Saffron Walden is one of the hardest places to go in the league. It’s another big test for us ahead of our cup final.”

Ely take on the Cambridge United Development side in the Cambs Invitation Cup showpiece on April 23.