Josh Falkingham insists that Harrogate Town are mentally tough enough to succeed in League Two despite recent collapses

Questions have been asked about the Sulphurites’ character after they collapsed from 3-1 up twice in the space of four days on their way to a disappointing draw at Rochdale, then a galling midweek defeat to Exeter City.

But, although the former Leeds United midfielder accepts that he and his teammates have been found wanting over the last week, he is adamant that there is sufficient mettle within the Wetherby Road changing room.

“It’s not always going to go our way,” Falkingham told the Harrogate Advertiser.

“I do believe in the character in this group, we have got that mental toughness, we really do. It’s not a question of whether it’s there, it is there, but at this current moment in the season we are being tested and not dealing with it well enough.

“You’ve got to take it on the chin, you’ve got to be honest. We have got to be tougher mentally and put things right. The games are coming thick and fast, so we’re looking at Leyton Orient on Saturday where we can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves and we have to come out fighting.

“We need to do everything we can, and I think we will, I know these lads and the character in the group. We’re hurting, that’s just natural and, in tough moments it is hard, but we’ve got to make sure that we perform more like ourselves on Saturday.”

Tuesday’s 4-3 loss at Exeter means that Town have now won just one of their last seven games in all competitions and saw them drop down to a season-low position of 15th in the League Two standings.

But, Saturday’s opponents are currently in even worse form. Orient – currently one place and five points behind the Sulphurites – are without a victory in 10 attempts and have scored only one goal during their previous nine matches.

Kick-off at the EnviroVent Stadium is at 3pm.