GARY Hackett says his Glassboys will be working hard on the training pitch to improve their early-season defensive frailties.

Stourbridge lost 4-3 away to Ilkeston on Monday night as they conceded their 11th goal after just four games.

Their defensive record is the second worst in the Northern Premier so far and is only ahead of second-from-bottom side Stamford.

It was a frustrating loss for the boss following last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at the Memorial Ground with last season’s runners-up Workington.

Hackett said: “We were bang average in the first half. We gave the ball away in poor situations and didn’t track runners.

“We were punished for our mistakes and it is something we need to cut out.

“We were poor defensively but the players reacted well in the second half after I demanded more from them. We could have had two penalties and Ilkeston rode their luck a little at the end.

“It’s very frustrating because it was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from us.

“Three of the back four are new but need to learn quickly. It is clear there is work to be done to make sure we are better at the back and get our shape right.

“We don’t have trouble scoring goals this season but we need to be harder to beat at the back, especially away from home. It is something we will be looking closely at.

“We will be working hard to put it right and find more consistency in that area of the pitch.

“However, we did well against Workington last Saturday. That shows us that the signs are all there if we can just sort a few of our weaknesses out.”

Against Ilkeston, a second half fight back proved in vain for the Glassboys.

Goals from Charlie Coulson and Jonathan Edwards handed the hosts a half time lead before Stour hit back.

A strike from Kayleden Brown and a header from Dan Scarr levelled matters within six minutes of the restart.

But Ilkeston came again, and their lead was restored with 58 minutes gone. A clever free kick move involving Oliver Luto, Danny Gordon and former West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes saw the ball pulled back for Liam Marshall to drill low beyond Lewis Solly into the corner.

And it was 4-2 just five minutes later, as Canavan lost the ball in midfield, allowing Edwards to play in Hughes with a through ball and the striker fired coolly post Solly.

Stour managed to bag another through Karl Hawley in the 72nd minute but couldn’t even matters as the game drew to a close.

The game then ended on something of a sour note as a spat near the touchline saw Marcus Harness dismissed for the home side before Tom Tonks followed after a second booking following another flair up.

Meanwhile, Stour could go head-to-head in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup with neighbours Tividale.

The Glassboys have been drawn away against the winners of this Saturday’s preliminary round clash at The Beeches between Tivi and Hanley Town.

The first qualifying round tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday, September 12 at 3pm, subject to final confirmation.