JAYSON STARKEY believes Cefn Druids were given a reminder of the ‘non-negotiables’ in football by Newtown.

The Ancients were beaten 4-1 by the Robins at Latham Park as Nick Rushton’s double, including a penalty, after goals from Ryan Edwards and Neil Mitchell sent Druids home empty-handed.

Iwan Cartwright had given Bruno Lopes’ men the lead with a fierce strike, but the wheels soon came off for Druids.

“The better team overall won,” said assistant head coach Starkey. “We started strongly and for the first 25 minutes we were playing some good football and scored a well-worked goal.

“But after that we forgot to do the basics and if you don’t do the basics at any level it will be a struggle, and so it proved for us against Newtown.

“Newtown had a greater desire to win the first and second balls and we spoke to the lads at half-time about showing more hunger and desire, but within 90 seconds of the restart we conceded a second goal and that knocked the stuffing out of us.

“We’ve spoken previously about having the confidence and belief to keep playing the way we want to when things aren’t going our way, but that didn’t happen.

“We weren’t able to do what we wanted to and Newtown punished us. They showed that if you are not on your game in this league that teams will punish you.”

Starkey and Druids aren’t about to press the panic button, however, after promising performances against Bala, Flint and Cardiff Met.

“We are aware that there’s still plenty of football to be played,” added Starkey. “We have to give Newtown credit for spotting weaknesses and exploiting them.”

Flint Town United, meanwhile, have completed the signing of Les Davies from 1876 Bangor.

The former Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town striker has been snapped up by Niall McGuinness to provide competition in the forward areas with Alex Titchener set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury against Barry Town.