Steve Newing says Enfield Town’s 6-1 defeat to St Albans City in the FA Cup first qualifying round left him feeling humiliated.

The Towners had performed well in the first 30 minutes of the game but a defensive error allowed Mark Nwokje a simple tap-in.

The lead was doubled a minute later as John Frendo held off Chris Wild before he slotted past Noel Imber.

Newing made a double substitution at half time but it was to no avail. The Saints were in firm control and Aston Goss netted before Nwokje fired in twice to complete a hat-trick.

Dave Kendall scored a consolation goal for Enfield before Howard Hall rounded off the scoring late on.

“That was the most humiliated I have felt as a manager,” Newing admitted.

“The performance was awful and simply not good enough. They were not five goals better than us but our defensive mistakes cost us.

“We can’t keep giving away goals and shooting ourselves in the foot. I am very quick to defend my players and I also take responsibility if I make mistakes.

“But I can’t defend what happened on Saturday, it was embarrassing. The players were told that they had let the club down.”

Enfield are yet to keep a clean sheet this season. They’ve conceded 20 goals in their ten matches and Newing acknowledged his side must improve.

He said: “I’ve played the game and I know mistakes can be made, I have made them as a manager. But if a player keeps making mistakes then they will find themselves out of the side and they can’t have any complaints about that.

“I won’t hide from the fact that if we can find better players that are within our budget then I will try and get them.

“But we are a better side than we were last season; I’ve no doubts about that.”

After their disappointing display in the Cup, Enfield return to Ryman Premier action and take on Lowestoft Town on Saturday before hosting AFC Hornchurch next Tuesday.

New signing James Elmes is set to miss the game after picking up an injury against the Saints while Tyler Campbell will be absent with a foot problem.

Newing is expecting his side to produce an improved performance against Lowestoft – who are yet to win away from home this season.

“The injuries will restrict the options I have going forward but that has not been the problem this season.

“I am expecting the players to stand up and be counted. They have usually reacted well if we haven’t done what we should have in the previous game.

“So I am hoping for a good performance to show we have bounced back from last week’s defeat.”