Ely City boss Brady Stone has urged his players to take responsibility in the wake of two Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division defeats in recent days.

The Robins suffered a 3-1 loss at Long Melford last Saturday when throwing away the lead.

Defender Ash Walter put Ely ahead early in the second half at Long Melford, but that goal sparked a slump rather than a march to victory.

Walter conceded a penalty that allowed the hosts to level on the hour and two further goals earned them the points.

Stone’s side were then brushed aside 4-0 by title favourites Histon last night (Tuesday) when former City loanee Dan Brown was one of the hosts’ scorers.

Stone said: “You should never lose a game 3-1 after taking the lead in the second half. We completely collapsed and the goals we conceded were terrible.

“The players need to take responsibility and learn to manage games better.

“We’re in a tough league and we will find ourselves in trouble if players continue to go hiding when we have a sticky period in games.

“We were very good against Framlingham and unbelievable against Newmarket when winning our first two games, but we need to find the consistency to play like that on a regular basis.

“We didn’t disappoint ourselves at Histon in all fairness. We just came up against a top team who play to their strengths and have a front two who are an absolute handful.”

City host Gorleston at the Ellgia Stadium on Saturday when attacking ace Deakan Napier returns from a two-game suspension following his sending off after the final whistle in the club’s FA Cup exit at Sileby Rangers.