BOSS Neil MacFarlane said his side’s performance against Southport was “nowhere near acceptable”.

Harriers suffered a shock 4-1 defeat against the league’s bottom-placed side after a horror first half at Aggborough.

The Reds also passed up the chance to go top of the National League North table.

MacFarlane said: “I think we went from our best performance of the season (against Leamington) to our poorest 45 minutes.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, it was nowhere near what I would expect from the group. It was nowhere near acceptable and we have to move on from it quickly.

“We suffered a set-back after three minutes and they had the wind advantage in the first half and they penned us in and they got goal after goal. It was such a disappointing first 45 minutes and I said to the players at half time that they have to show at least a level of pride in the second half, which I think they did.

“We must now move onto the next one because we are still right in the hunt.

“I think the players have been consistent over the course of the start of the season. We don’t like losing football matches, both myself and the group, and we want to give the supporters that winning team every single week.

“I’m realistic with the group, I know where the group are at, we’re going to suffer set-backs and it’s about making sure we do what we’ve done every single week and respond and make sure we get a positive result at Nuneaton again.”