A FRUSTRATED Steve Edmondson has rued the nightmare starts which have seen Kendal Town face continuing uphill battles in the search for the wins which will see them climb the BetVictor League table.

Saturday was a case in point as the Mintcakes found themselves two down within the first 16 minutes at promotion chasing Marine.

The Town boss read the riot act to his players at half time and in the second half, Town more than matched the high flying Merseysiders and showed what they were capable of.

But they were unable to make up the lost ground and after they slipped to a 4-1 defeat, Edmondson said he was particularly disappointed as Town appear to be making a habit of gifting their opponents an early advantage before clicking into gear.

"The problem is that the game as lost in the opening few minutes as we are giving teams a two or three goal start," said the Kendal boss.

"We were just not at the races in those first few minutes and were two down before we got going.

"I don't often criticise the players and I don't like doing that, but that's the problem in my view and that's why we are not able to live with the top teams.

"It may be a confidence thing but we have to address it."

Town committed the same error in the recent home triumph over Brighouse Town, going 2-0 down before storming back to earn a memorable 4-2 triumph.

But as Edmondson pointed out, the Mintcakes cannot get away with it against the top sides such as Marine who have more quality and can close a game out when they are handed an early advantage.

That reverse on Merseyside was Town's second consecutive defeat and puts the brakes on their surge up the table, but they have a chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host Runcorn Linnets.

Long serving Linnets boss Michael Ellison has guided his side to a respectable mid-table spot, but their away form is less convincing and they have won only once on the road this term.

And Edmondson is optimistic his improving side can return to winning ways.

"Runcorn Linnets are not a bad side so we know it will be a tough game," he said.

"We were drawing 0-0 with them at half time when we played there earlier this season then ended up losing 4-0 but we have come a long way since that game.

"We have worked hard and improved since then and we are looking forward to trying to get a bit of revenge for that day."