MANAGER Adam Castlehouse has asked for patience from supporters after another heavy defeat for St Austell, although there were signs of improvement in the performance.

St Austell are still searching for their first goal and first points of the new campaign, having now conceded 18 goals in three games.

Castlehouse said: “I feel for our loyal supporters as they are paying to be entertained but, we all have to remember this is a squad built from scratch.

“We are disappointed with the results so far, but because of the situation we have found ourselves in, we have had to prioritise the areas we are focusing on in training, and then implement them on a match day.”

He went on: “I think my management team and I are seeing some signs of progress in the way we are setting up and while it may not feel like progress to those on the outside, the scoreline (albeit ‘a heavy defeat’) is proof that we are moving in the right direction.

“Our focus now is on trying to link the defensive unit with our attacking unit a little more, which again, we did show in patches yesterday, that we can carry a threat when we are calm and play around teams.”

Jake Sloggett opened the scoring in the 29th minute and doubled the visitors’ lead just before half-time from the penalty spot.

Matt Morris made it 3-0 midway through the second half and the Lillywhites’ misery was complete with an 85th minute own goal from Sloggett’s ball across goal.

ST AUSTELL: Alfie Eccles, Sonny Cooper, Louie Rendle, Theo Roberts, Alex Hassell, James Baker (capt), Billy Eccles, Billy Coton, Kyle Hutchings, Matt Pilkington, Sam Lang. Subs: Daniel Slaney, Lucas Kaye, Innocent Kasonde, Cody Jones, Max Parnowski (gk).