Deeping Rangers are beaten by Lincoln United in the United Counties League
Manager Brett Whaley wants to see a consistency in work-rate and effort from his Deeping Rangers side in their battle to avoid relegation.
Rangers remain outside the danger zone on goal difference in the United Counties League Premier Division North after a 2-1 home loss to Lincoln United on Saturday.
The performance against the third-placed Whites was a marked improvement on the 5-0 away loss at Ashby Ivanhoe seven days earlier as the Clarets rallied despite the dismissal of Will Barnes.
Trailing to goals from Scott Matthews and Cameron Johnson, the Clarets cut the deficit through Josh Moreman to set up a tense finish at the Haydon Whitham Stadium.
Whaley said: "It was an improved performance from last week but that was nowhere near the levels which we expect.
"We capitulated at 2-0 last week and we showed some really worrying signs.
"I thought on Saturday at 2-0 that we really rolled our sleeves up.
"It wasn't the best footballing performance from us but there was a togetherness.
"I now need to see a consistency in work-rate and effort.
"If we put in what we did on Saturday against the lesser sides then I don't doubt that we can start getting results but we all know that we need to."
Deeping had fallen behind in the eighth minute when Matthews curled home a free-kick following a foul on Cameron Johnson on the edge of the penalty area.
Rangers responded well with Barnes seeing a shot smothered by United goalkeeper Jack Steggles which Spencer Tinkler headed just over the visitors' crossbar.
They were then reduced to 10 men nine minutes into the second half when Barnes was red-carded for a high foot on Johnson.
And Lincoln took advantage to double their lead in the 66th minute as Johnson received the ball in the box before creating space to curl home a fine finish.
Deeping dug in though and cut the deficit with seven minutes remaining as Elliot Foster and James Stainsby combined to give Moreman tap-in.
The home side pushed for an equaliser but Lincoln stood strong to take the points and leave Rangers in a relegation dogfight.
Boss Whaley added: "We will take some positives from it but ultimately I'm not naive because it's another defeat.
"We need points so you can't be too positive about losing football matches even though there were positive elements in it.
"We know that we've got to keep working hard.
"We scrapped despite being 2-0 down against a side third in the league.
"We got a goal and made them see the game out which shows a bit of character.
"It's about points at this time of the season though and not necessarily performances."
Deeping face another tough trip on Saturday as they travel to face second-placed Eastwood CFC.
