SILSDEN boss Danny Forrest was not impressed with his side capitulating to a 5-2 home defeat against Bootle in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday and warned he will not accept that level of performance going forward.

The Sils made a host of defensive errors to gift their Merseyside opponents an easy win. The defeat was made even worse by the fact that Bootle were down to 10 men for most of the game (they finished with nine).

Forrest said: "All the goals were avoidable. We knew Bootle had a very good team and individuals but we made unforced errors, which you can't afford to do at this level.

"That's what's frustrating. You can handle it when you play good teams and they cut you open, you hold your hands up.

"But that was not the case here. We gifted them goals.

"The red card made them change their gameplan and sit in and they looked happy to grind out a 2-1 win (the score at the time), but we still managed to concede three against 10 men.

"It's not good enough, but I said what needed to be said afterwards and what matters now is how we react. The lads know I'm not going to accept that level of performance many more times.

"We need to be performing in nine out of 10 games, and I want us to be hard to beat even on an off day.

"My aim is to create a really solid and structured side, even when we're not at our best. That's why Saturday was so frustrating."

One positive from the FA Cup defeat was midfielder Leon Hurles-Brook. He only signed from Campion a couple of weeks ago but has hit the ground running.

He made his debut in the 2-0 derby win over Steeton on September 5, hit a hat-trick at Salts three days later, and netted his side's first goal against Bootle.

Discussing what he brings to the side, Forrest said: "We brought Leon into an area we wanted to improve on and probably still do (the club have also just re-signed creative midfielder Harry Thompson).

"He can play centrally, as a number 10, and on the left. He gives us that balance, being left footed, and he links up the play well.

"He's also got a goal in him. He got those goals against Salts, a good game for him to come into, and I think doing well early on at a new club helps you.

"He took his goal on Saturday brilliantly too. He just brings a bit of magic and class to the team, which could help to decide tight games."

Silsden host Garstang in the FA Vase first qualifying round this weekend before kicking off their league campaign at Garforth Town next Tuesday.

Speaking about the Garstang clash, Forrest said: "We've only played them once before (a 2-0 defeat in the Macron Cup) and that was two years ago.

"Teams can change quickly at this level, so we'll find out what we can about them, but we're concentrating on ourselves.

"The performance was not good enough on Saturday so we've got to react and improve.

"We have it in us and we can cause anyone problems on our day."