BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT assistant boss Chris Smith has warned that his side have to iron out their defensive frailties - and fast.

The R's conceded three goals for the second weekend in a row in their Bostik League premier division match at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.

However, unlike on the previous occasion, when they staged a late fightback to draw 3-3 at Merstham, they ended up losing 3-2.

Those two league games sandwiched a 5-1 defeat at AFC Sudbury, in the Velocity Trophy.

And on the Tuesday before the Merstham thriller, they shipped four goals at leaders Billericay Town.

"It was another disappointing result and performance at the weekend," Smith told the Gazette, ahead of tonight's home match against Wingate and Finchley.

"For the second weekend in a row we were left chasing a game due to our defensive frailties.

"One of the differences in this league is that strikers will more likely than not punish your mistakes.

"We must defend better as a team and, to that end, we will continue working hard on the training ground to iron out our shortcomings."

Regent, in 13th, face a tough test tonight against a Wingate and Finchley side who have won six of their eight matches and are level on points with second-placed Leiston.

The high-flying pair are both three points behind Billericay.

Long-term injury victim Pip Boyland is still sidelined but otherwise Regent boss James Webster has a full-strength squad for the 7.45pm kick-off at the Taydal Stadium.

Brightlingsea had been due to host Burgess Hill Town in a league encounter next Saturday but the match will have to rescheduled as the Sussex side have an FA Cup tie against Wealdstone.

Elsewhere tonight, MALDON AND TIPTREE have a division north date at Brentwood Town.

WITHAM TOWN had been due to host Hertford Town but that match will also have to be rescheduled, as Hertford are in Velocity Trophy action at Enfield Town.

It's a big night for HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS, with Jody Brown's side preparing for the visit of premier division strugglers Metropolitan Police, in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The sides drew 2-2 on September 16 and had been due to meet in a replay last week, only for it to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

They will try again tonight and Heybridge will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing for the first time this season, on Saturday.

Having won their opening five matches, they went down 3-2 at Sudbury.