AFC TOTTON boss Louis Langdown is urging his third-to-bottom side to tighten up at set-pieces ahead of Saturday’s home showdown against fellow Southern One South & West strugglers Paulton Rovers.

Although the Stags themselves scored from a dead-ball situation against Taunton Town on Tuesday when Dave Allen headed home Mike Gosney’s corner, they were caught out three times in a 3-1 defeat.

The return of lofty centre-back Jack Vallis from suspension could be crucial in dealing with any aerial threat on Saturday but, in an ideal world, Langdown would like a bit more height in his side.

Totton’s world, of course, is far from ideal right now with Langdown limited in what he can do following the twin resignations of chairman Andy Straker, due to ill health, and vice-chairman Roy Edwards.

Langdown, though, is trying to make the best of a tricky situation until new club officials are elected at a special general meeting next Wednesday (December 21, 7.30pm).

Langdown, who was only appointed a month ago with Adam Wilde as his right-hand man, said: “This job is an entirely different proposition to what Adam and I were sold, but we believe we’ve turned a corner. We’re getting players in who are cheaper and better, so that’s a positive.

“We’re a small side and we don’t defend set-pieces very well. Taunton scored two headed goals and a deflection from a free-kick.

“But the positive is that we got the ball down, we passed it better and we created opportunities.

“We haven’t been outplayed and we haven’t been destroyed, it’s just set-pieces that are our undoing.

“Size is not easy to find when you’ve got no resources, so we’ll have to rely on our bigger boys like Dave Allen and Jack Vallis to stand up and be counted.

“We’ve had one defeat in four, which is a positive we can grasp hold of, and the players are starting to understand their positions.

"It's a backs-to-the-wall scenario for us at the moment and we've got to ensure that team spirit remains high and we're getting some enjoyment out of it."

With former first-choice goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe having dual-signed for Sydenhams leaders Moneyfields this week, Langdown may seek to extend the loan of Charlie Searle from Havant & Waterlooville. His initial month is up after Saturday's game.

Forward Nathaniel Sherborne is back available to face Paulton and defender Neil Williams returns from a bout of flu.