Wisbech’s problems in the United Counties Premier North are of their own making says manager

Luke Hipwell admits the Fenmen's problems in both penalty areas are proving costly for his side In the United Counties Premier North.

Wisbech Town went down 1-0 at Belper United, the winning goal in an even match coming in the 67th minute at the weekend.

The defeat - the Fenmen's third straight loss - leaves the club 16th in the league standings - just four points above the drop zone having played more games than all of the sides below them in the table.

Hipwell believes his side's current problems are all of their own making, saying: "I think there comes a point where you have to say that we aren't quite good enough and if you don't take your chances then you are going to get beat.

"I'm beginning to sound like a broken record but I can't fault the lads' work rate, endeavour, effort and desire.

"They are trying to do things the right way and I think they are a great group, but ultimately if you are not good enough in both boxes then you are not going to win games of football.

"That's been the trend of our last three games where we haven't come away with any points and I'd probably suggest that we arguably should have drawn every game at least.

"We had two brilliant opportunities in the first half where we pressed the ball really well and a good bit of work, interlinking between the forwards but we've failed to make their goalkeeper work with both opportunities.

"We also had some decent opportunities set-piece-wise but again we haven't made the goalkeeper work.

"They haven't hurt us. Their number nine was a very good player for them and only some last-ditch defending towards the end of the first half has denied them.

"They've been allowed a free header in our box for the goal and following that we've huffed and puffed.

"Amir has put some decent balls across the face of goal and we've got to get in there a bit more and want to score more goals.

"And then there was another great ball in from Amir but we haven't taken the opportunity again and that's where we are at."

The Fenmen now have a blank Saturday before crucial back-to-back home games against Kimberley Miners Welfare and Shirebrook Town - the two sides at the bottom of the table - on successive weekends.

The outcome of both those games is likely to have a huge bearing on where Wisbech finish in the table.

"We've got a couple of weeks break to regroup now and try to get some more players fit," said Hipwell.

"Paulius (Falcao) has a quad injury, Sam Murphy with his ankle and Stacey (Freeman) with his back are also struggling but we've now got some time on the training pitch, which is important."

The Wisbech boss remains determined to put things right on the pitch.

"It's disappointing but we've got to keep going," he said.

"It's just a little bit more frustration than anything as a collective, as a management team and the players as a group.

"We've got to stick together and trust that we'll get back on the winning trail sooner rather than later.

"After a two-week break, we've got two massive games here in Kimberley and Shirebrook and we've got to make sure that we are at it.

"It would be great if we could get as many supporters down as possible for those two games to support us and cheer us on and again I'd like to thank them for their support again today.

"As a management team, we are trying our hardest to put it right."

Wisbech: Lakin, Harris (Langford 89), Wilson (Papworth-Boston 89), Nicholson (Williams 71), Mattless, Braham, Bennett (Cavozzi 53), Parker, Lennon, Foster, Ward. Sub (not used): Falcao.

Star man: Ryan Lennon.