ERNIE Howe is facing one of his toughest tasks as manager of Basingstoke Town in the aftermath of their abysmal FA Cup exit at Bracknell - raising both his morale and that of his crushed and battered side.

A hugely disappointed Howe said the games against Bracknell were the two worst performances from a Basingstoke team during his 10-year reign at the Camrose. Town crashed out of the cup 1-0 after going down to an extra time winner at Bracknell on Tuesday, three days after the sides drew 0-0 at the Camrose.

Howe now believes his team face a crucial make-or-break stage of the season.

He said: "We can't just forget about the matches. They were the worst two performances I have seen from a team of mine.

"I thought I'd done everything I could to motivate the players before Tuesday's game, and lost my temper fully with them at half-time. It didn't have an effect and I don't know why.

"I am hurting, totally disappointed and don't really know how to express it.

"The dressing room was like a morgue after Tuesday's game, but I don't think some of the players are hurting enough or know just what going out of the cup means to this club financially.

"We haven't budgeted for a cup run, but Bracknell was a draw we were pleased with and it was a great opportunity to progress and get some vital money.

"Barnet at home in the next round was a massive game and would have been a huge financial boost for us."

Even though finances are still tight, Howe thinks it is now time to make personnel changes and is pursuing two midfield targets.

He said: "It's clear I've got to make changes. Perhaps some of the team over-achieved last year and we are seeing that they don't have the ability we thought they did. Perhaps others don't have the same desire.

"We desperately need some quality midfielders and I'm hoping I can bring some in soon. It's the area where we have struggled all season."

After the final whistle on Tuesday, a morose Howe immediately made his way to the dressing room, leaving his dejected players on the pitch.

Some disgruntled Town fans made critical and derogatory comments as he made the walk up the touchline. Typical knee-jerk reactions from some - "how much longer will/can the club stick with Ernie" - were bandied about and have already been posted on the club's website.

Howe said: "As soon as I got home, my wife asked me why I put myself through it all for so little reward. She has the right to ask that more than anyone.

"I suppose it's because I care for the club and it's in my blood, so I will take the brunt of the criticism because the players are my responsibility.

"Of course I heard the comments being made. But I've had 19,000 people on my back when I played, so a few dissenting voices aren't going to affect me. And it's easy for people to hide behind a computer screen. I'd like to ask them if they ever have bad days at work, and what experience they have of football professionally and at non-league?

"These fans think you can wave a magic wand and make things right, when they don't know the situation at the club or what has really gone on over the past few seasons with the huge debts we've had."

Howe now has to rally his team for the visit of Kettering to the Camrose tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

He said: "We've got to work hard and respond in the right way. It's been an awful few days but there are far more important things in life than football to worry about."