FOUR successive defeats at Park Avenue meant that Aberystwyth Town missed out on a top six position at the league split, and assistant manager Wyn Thomas accepts that they need to strengthen.

The Seasiders’ hopes of qualifying for the play-offs for Europe now rest on winning the lower tier of the Welsh Premier, and recent form has even raised concerns about being dragged into a relegation struggle.

Hopes of getting the required 2-0 win against Newtown were shattered by two early goals against the Robins on Saturday, and despite pulling a goal back through Chris Venables, there was no way back.

The last few minutes also saw red cards shown to both Luke Sherbon and Venables - who showed ill-discipline by kicking the ball away in frustration - and their suspensions will stretch an already limited squad.

Thomas, who took charge of the team, with manager Ian Hughes undergoing a routine operation, admitted that defensive concerns had once again returned to haunt their side.

“The start was very disappointing,” Thomas told atfc.org.uk. “We had spoke about not giving goals away, and that was what we did.

“After about 25 minutes we started to play, we got into the game, and had a couple of chances and corners.

“In the second half we came out fighting, got a goal back, and hoped to go from there. But it was a disappointing result, and what happened at the end, with two players getting sent off, was more disappointing.”

The Seasiders were without Geoff Kellaway last weekend, and with striker Jamie Reed having finished his loan spell, they can ill afford any further suspensions and injuries.

Assistant manager Thomas has revealed that new additions could follow Jonathan Evans, who joined from Penrhyncoch a fortnight ago.

“We need to strengthen, and hopefully we can, “ said Thomas. “We’ve got a couple of weeks off to work on things, and hopefully we can tick a few boxes and work a few things out.

“We have spoken to a few players, so hopefully at least something will come of it. But it is hard work, because we are in the bottom six now.

“We need to get players who are consistent. We’ve not been consistent enough, and we’ve been giving too many poor goals away as a team.”

The Seasiders now have a fortnight off until they resume action in the Play Off Conference on Friday, 29 January at home against Port Talbot.

In their last 10 games they will face Bangor City, Carmarthen Town, Port Talbot, Rhyl and Haverfordwest.

“Hopefully when the bottom six kicks on, we can start putting smiles back onto faces,” said Thomas.

“Getting seventh place is going to be difficult, because the teams around us are very good also. It is a challenge, but it’s one we’re looking forward to in the next few weeks.”