Mark Hawkes, manager of Heybridge Swifts, wants his side to start playing with more freedom at Scraley Road.

His team suffered a setback in their quest for promotion after losing 3-0 at home to Potters Bar Town on Saturday.

It was their fifth home defeat of the season – the same number of games they have won there.

And Hawkes admits his side’s poor form in front of their own supporters is damaging their play-off chances.

“Our home performances have let us down and been very disappointing,” he said.

“At any standard of football, you expect to win on your own pitch but, for a variety of reasons, it’s just not happening for us and it was the same last season.

“It’s such a shame, when you consider that the vast majority of people who support the club only see our home games.

“It’s hard to say why.

“We’ve got a very good pitch and some teams seem to enjoy playing on it.

“Others come here and make life very difficult for us.

“They get ten men behind the ball and we struggle to break them down.

“We’ve got to learn to play with more freedom at Scraley Road.

“Instead of worrying so much about losing, we need to up our work-rate, passion and desire and start playing more expansive football.”

Swifts have won six games on the road this season – one more than they have managed at home.

And they will be hoping that trend continues when they head to Ryman League division one north leaders Leiston on Saturday.

> http://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk