WISBECH Town boss Steve Appleby has challenged the Fenmen to adopt Leiston’s winning mentality after watching the newly-crowned league champions edge past his side.

Leiston, who had not lost in the league since Wisbech beat them 3-1 on the opening day of the season, took revenge with a 1-0 victory at the Tom Wood’s Beer Fenland Stadium on Tuesday night.

The defeat ended Wisbech’s seven-game unbeaten run and Appleby said his side could learn a lot from the Ridgeons Premier Division champions.

“They are a perfect example of what we need to be next season,” said Appleby. “They have set us a fantastic benchmark.

“They scored with their one chance in the first half. That’s what wins you leagues - one chance, one great finish. We didn’t take our chances.

“Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say you were not quite good enough and you were beaten by a better team. This was one of those occasions, they had the edge on us.

“The perfect example is the number of draws we’ve had. If we turn them into ugly wins then we can think about winning leagues.

“Manchester United have done it all season. They have not played particularly well and they are still running away with the league.

“We can’t ever be satisfied with what we’ve done and we want to find that winning mentality. That’s what Leiston have - they are worthy champions. They have been different class.”

The midweek defeat followed a disappointing performance on Saturday, when a Simon Flanz thunderbolt rescued a point for Wisbech in a 1-1 draw with Felixstowe & Walton United. The fifth-placed Fenmen travel to bottom-of-the-league Debenham LC tomorrow, with young talent Olly Gale set for his first start.

Appleby added: “What I’m trying to drum into the lads is that we have five games in the league and we have the chance to get into that winning habit. You can’t turn it on and off like a tap.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing top of the league or bottom of the league, what’s on offer is three points.”