In the three away matches on their travels since their opening day win at Loughborough the Wrens had gone in front, only to blow it in the second half.

At Brigg Town in the FA Cup and at Carlton Town the Wrens conceded a crucial goal just before the interval, but at Quorn on Tuesday night they held on to their first half advantage, only to see some sloppiness creep in late on and two goals shipped in as many minutes – something which left Funk fuming in the dressing room after the match.

With a night’s sleep to aid his reflection on the game, Funk was more frustrated than fuming on Wednesday morning.

He said: “Yes, I’m disappointed, but I can’t put too much onto the players because of the way we are stretched .

“The players received a rocket from me afterwards that I would not have liked to be on the receiving end of, but I can’t stand losing. We’ve had so much success at Rainworth over the years, and I’m sure success will return.

“But at the moment I’m frustrated because Billy Millar and I can’t do what we want to do. We’ve got some fantastic players, but right now we have some big problems which mean we can’t get things just how we want them on the field of play.

“I have to compliment Quorn, they have a great set-up and a good side. They took advantage of our weaknesses and played to their own strengths, but the most disappointing thing was that for the third time in a row on our travels we’ve lost after leading.

“On this occasion we led for a long time, we were defending well, and then after all that the manner in which we conceded two quick goals was so sloppy, and I won’t tolerate that.

“Overall there were no bad individual performances, which is why I’m so frustrated, because the players who have come into the side to replace the absentees who would normally start had done wonders, and then shot themselves in the foot.

“All of a sudden they are happy to dwell on a 1-0 lead, and then we make two silly mistakes which lead to goals.

“We have no complaints about Quorn’s third goal right at the end. We had changed shape, pushed forward, and left ourselves a bit exposed while looking for the equaliser, and the third goal was a real wonder strike.”

So pressing are Funk’s problems at present that he tempted Barry Alberry out of retirement to play at Quorn.

Many believe Alberry’s decision to retire at the end of last season was premature, and Funk added: “I didn’t have a problem when he decided to go because he’d been a great servant to the club, but I knew he could still do a good job at this level, and his performance vindicated that view.

“Barry is back with us as part of our regular set-up now, and will make a difference.”

Meanwhile one player who has earned plaudits is goalkeeper Mark Hales – and not least from his rival for the jersey, Sam Dobbs.

Said Funk: “Sam has been extraordinarily complimentary to the way Mark has been playing, but Sam is a great keeper in his own right and will still do a job for us when called upon, although he understands that Mark’s current form means he cannot be left out.”

Forthcoming

On Saturday Rainworth have a difficult trip to Leek Town, but Funk recalls Harrison Park as one of his happy hunting grounds when he was assisting at Eastwood Town.

“I’m really looking forward to going back there,” he said. “It’s a great ground, and Leek are an immense club in the non-League world.

“Some of our players have never been there, and when they arrive they will see what this league is all about. It’s a wonderful league and I hope the players enjoy taking in the atmosphere there, but more importantly I hope they can find that bit more application and professionalism and come away with three points.”

Following the Leek game the Wrens have three home games in eight days, starting on Tuesday when Stamford visit Kirklington Road, followed on Saturday week by fellow-promotees Barwell. Then on the following Tuesday in the President’s Cup the Wrens will be looking for revenge on their former coach Les McJannett, whose Carlton Town beat them 2-1 on Bank Holiday Monday.