Colney Heath's young side were given a lesson in the merits of hard work after slipping to defeat at home to Baldock Town.

They were 3-0 down in 49 minutes at their Recreation Ground home and it took a well-struck free-kick and a dubious penalty award, both converted by Vladut Sighiartau, to give them a shout at rescuing a point.

It wasn't to be though as they slipped to a 3-2 loss in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, keeping them second from bottom and in the relegation places.

It was a far cry from a midweek friendly against Isthmian League Premier Division Potters Bar Town where they had stormed to a 3-0 success and manager George Georgiou believes some of his squad were still basking in that performance.

"We were unbelievable against Potters Bar," said the Magpies boss, "and I think the problem is this group of young guys, and we have got a group of young of lads, thought they'd done it before they went out. 

"The three sucker punches shows a lack of discipline and not understanding when to play in the right areas. 

"And also, I think their attitude was not the best from when we were doing the warm-up. 

"But there were a lot of positives, especially the second half, and the subs that came on made such a difference. 

"And in the end, we could have drawn the game if we had a little bit more luck."

The new boss arrived at the village side in October and has been slowly building the squad in his image.

Sighiartau is one of those new players drafted in, the win against Baldock Town being his debut for the club, and Georgiou believes he is now close to where he wants to be.

He said: "I'm trying to build a little bit of consistency. 

"There wasn’t much harmony because we were losing too many games so I've been trying to get the club to be positive and think positive.  

"We've made a few changes to backroom staff and we've added six, seven, eight new players to the team. 

"It's going to take time to gel but there were stages, especially second half, where we looked like a good side. 

"We just need to replicate that. The players need to prove themselves on the pitch and the good thing about this, although we lost, they know they have to step up. 

"No one is safe in that team which is a really good positive thing for me."

The precarious position the Magpies are in, however, is doing little to help the situation with results needed now just as much as the framework for another successful side.

"I've been saying that from the very first day I've been here," said Georgiou, "but I really do believe in this group of young people.

"We were on a run of four games without losing. The next few games are back-to-back which might be good for us. 

"[The players] have got to make amends. I'm not going to dwell on why we should have won this or that. 

"It’s down to us being responsible and knowing what we have to do going forward."

If the situation is difficult for Colney Heath, it is positively bleak for London Colney who are all but doomed at the foot of the table.

They have just five points from their 21 games and Saturday saw them thumped 9-1 at home to Shefford Town & Campton.

Harpenden Town are up in 15th and while they are eight points ahead of Colney Heath, and with a game in hand, they weren't helped by a 3-0 reverse at home to Leverstock Green.