Sandy calls on Diamonds to bounce back as they head to play-off chasing Racing Club

Diamonds trailed 2-0 at the interval, with Bruno Andrade having missed a second minute penalty, and although the top-scorer pulled one back midway through the second half, the home side sealed the points with a late third.

Boss Elliot Sandy admitted: "I am disappointed. Long Eaton are a decent footballing side and top of the form guide, but it was all about key moments.

"We had a bit of a wobble after missing that early penalty, but really it was a lack of quality that let us down. I couldn’t fault our desire in the second half."

On Saturday, Diamonds travel to Racing Club Warwick for a game that Sandy says they don’t want to lose.

Racing lie just one point outside the play-off spots, but have lost their past two matches, while Diamonds are 12th, five points off the top five.

Sandy said: "In this league I think all games are tough.

"We haven't changed too much after Saturday, but we just have to go and win on Saturday, it's as simple as that.

"It will be a tough ask because they are a good side, they move the ball well and play on an Astro as well, but we have got confidence in the group.

"We will train hard in the week and we will go there and give it everything we've got.

"But after Saturday’s game we have a run of nine games, with eight of them against teams in the bottom third of the table. Hopefully, we can kick on towards the play-offs."

Recent signing Jon-Joe O’Toole is likely to drop back into the centre of defence to fill the void left by Tejan Thomas’ one game suspension, while Cobblers loanee Ollie Evans could start in the number 10 position after impressing as a second half substitute against Long Eaton.

Jack Daldy missed Saturday’s game with an eye problem.

Earlier in the season, a Tyler Winters goal divided the two sides as Diamonds won 1-0 at Hayden Road.

In squad news, Diamonds have added a third Northampton Town youngster, with defender Freddie Findlay signing on from Sixfields and making his debut in the Long Eaton defeat.

Lewis Walker has gone out on loan again, joining Jordan Graham at Step 5 Sileby Rangers, while defender Jeremy Kyezu has been made available for dual-registration.

This is due to an expected reduction in game-time coupled with the distance travelled from where he lives, in London.

In other news, Diamonds have been informed by the FA that no action will be taken following the controversial abandonment of their game at Coventry Sphinx last year. The game will now be replayed on Tuesday, February 17.