Royston Town boss Steve Castle was scathing of the Crows defence after their 6-4 defeat to play-off rivals Biggleswade Town on Saturday.

The Crows are now without a Evo-Stik Southern League Central win since October, and fell three points further outside the play-offs in a relentless 10 goal thriller at Garden Walk.

Goals from Josh Castiglione, Daniel Brathwaite and a double from James Potton – whose performance was sensation despite the defeat – were not enough to beat Biggleswade.

Speaking to CrowSport after the game, Castle said: “You can’t concede six. It’s really concerning for me.

“Our home form this season has been shocking, we’ve got to rectify it. I thought the quality of our defending from corners was embarrassing.

“They deserved it. I need to see more desire to win a football game, that’s too poor for me.

“We changed the formation, that’ll be looked at again but it had nothing to do with that, it was about individuals not being able to defend. I’ve no idea why.”

The Crows went in 3-2 ahead at the break. Though they were largely pegged back, Royston were clinical and accurate going forward, led by a superb first-half from Potton.

However, the injury-hit Crows were overrun by the Waders in the second half. Castle has been hesitant to rue the absence of main-men Ben Martin, Adam Murray, Spyros Mentis and Gus Scott-Morriss, but said the loss highlighted a weakness in his squad.

The Leyton Orient legend said: “The sooner the main players get back in the better.

“That’s the first time I’ve made that excuse because I always thought the squad was strong enough, and obviously it’s not.

“James is a fantastic player and he had a great game but I’m lost for words in terms of praise because it’s not the day for it.

“We’re going to have to reassess.”

In their next league game, Royston travel to Redditch United, a side in the bottom half but one who are rising back up the table.

Castle added: “They’ve rejuvenated themselves, it won’t be easy and neither will any of our next games.

“We’ve given ourselves an uphill task to get back in it but I think we will.”