CRAIG Easton has urged his Town teammates to banish any negative thoughts from their minds as they look to build on Saturday's 4-1 League One drubbing of Bournemouth.

It may have been Town's biggest win of the campaign but Easton accepts for 50 minutes it was the visitors dominating proceedings.

As has been the case all too frequently this season, Paul Sturrock's men took the lead and the preceded to sit on it, allowing Bournemouth a foothold back into the game.

It was only some comical defending from the Cherries that set Town back on the right road, with Billy Paynter's second-half hat-trick sparing the blushes.

Midfielder Easton insists their caution is not from Sturrock's instruction but admits it is a mindset that quickly has to be got rid of.

He said: "I think in the first half it was hard. I thought we started better but they got into the game and probably controlled it for the last 20 minutes.

"We seem to get that goal and for some reason take our foot off it. I don't know if it is because there have been a few times where we have lost leads and got draws and maybe we are unconsciously trying to tighten up.

"But we need to push for the second goal. I think our half time team talk was bang on and that is we have to go on and look for that second goal."

A solid start to their return to League One sees Town lying in seventh spot but Easton, pictured, believes their points tally should be healthier.

They have lost leads against Hartlepool, Luton, Cheltenham, as well as Bournemouth, already this season and Easton knows things have to change.

He said: "The manager has never encouraged us to sit on lead, quite the opposite. If anything it is probably in the back of our minds.

"We are not thinking to do it but maybe we are taking our foot off the gas. I don't think we are trying to do it but it is just about doing the same things as we are at the start of the games.

"We had to be more attacking on Saturday because they were looking decent on the ball and we were giving them too much time. It looked like they could have created a few things.

"We sat back even more and we could have been in a position like last week but we had to come out like we started. We kept it up after our second goal but did not sit back and went and got more goals."

Easton and fellow central midfielder Lee Peacock also found themselves outnumbered in the middle of the field on Saturday, with Bournemouth employing a 3-5-2 formation.

"It was tough playing against three midfielders and the gaffer tried to address that by bringing Jon Paul or Sofi around," he said.

"We countered it well but it is tough because they had decent players on the ball and you feel you are getting the runaround. But we got our shape better and after that they went 4-4-2 and we dominated.

"Obviously three in the middle caused us trouble but we are experienced enough to talk about it and move around. It is all about thought. It was good to see the wingers coming in and tackling."

After being left out for the opening game of the campaign, Easton has made the central midfield role his own since but, with Michael Pook, Steve Adams and Chris Allen, waiting in the wings, he knows he can not take the short for granted.

He said: "There is so much competition in the middle. I have enjoyed playing with Michael, Steve and Chrissy in pre-season.

"Lee Peacock gives you something different again. It is really hotting up for places and I am just thankful to be playing every week. You are just trying your best to stay in there.

"But there is much competition you have to be on your game and that is great for the gaffer but not so good for the players who are not playing.

"Our position could be better in the table. Looking at the draws we have had we could have had a few more wins if we had taken out chances. But we are going in the right direction. Getting that win has given us confidence.

"I am looking forward to two tough games next week. MIllwall and Swansea are tough games but we will be ready for them and have to take goals to a place like Millwall."