MARCH boss Brett Whaley has called on his players to show their strength of character, put their worst performance of the season behind them and win tomorrow s crucial six-pointer. The Hares, who threw away a 1-0 half-time lead to lose 6-1 at second top H

MARCH boss Brett Whaley has called on his players to show their strength of character, put their worst performance of the season behind them and win tomorrow's crucial six-pointer.

The Hares, who threw away a 1-0 half-time lead to lose 6-1 at second top Hadleigh United on Saturday, entertain second-bottom Cornard at the GER Stadium.

March have now gone nine league games without a win, and with the Hares just four points and two places above tomorrow's opponents, nothing less than victory will do.

Whaley said: "We were awful in the second half on Saturday - there was no character or spirit in the team. I find that unacceptable and it's something we've addressed in training this week.

"I looked at this fixture (with Cornard) a few weeks ago and thought victory should be a formality, but it's going to be a real test of character for the players to lift themselves after Saturday."

March started the match confidently. Ashley Brand collected a throughball and beat the last defender to give the Hares a deserved half-time lead.

Hadleigh United dominated the second half but the match was still in the balance with the score at 2-1 with 10 minutes left.

The March players bombed forward in search of an equaliser, leaving themselves badly exposed at the back, and the clinical hosts took advantage with five more goals.

Whaley said: "Some players were all too keen to get forward but not prepared to get back and defend when they had to. Our centre-backs Luke Walker and Michael White didn't do much wrong but they were left badly exposed."

Whaley's squad will be boosted by the return of full-backs Mark Welcher and Dan Gilbert, who have missed the last two weeks through work commitments.

Striker Luke Weston may also make his debut for the club on Saturday.

The summer signing has had an injury-plagued start to the season, and may start with Deni Escorcio away on county duty.