Carshalton Athletic manager Stuart Massey is having sleepless nights as he contemplates how to halt the club’s slump in form.

The Robins exited their fourth and final cup competition for this season on Tuesday night as Egham Town came from behind to win 2-1 at Colston Avenue in the Surrey Senior Cup.

Massey’s men are without a win in all competitions in eight games, including four consecutive defeats in Ryman Division One South.

Having started the season with just two defeats in seven games, the downturn in form has landed the Robins 19th in the table.

Massey said: “We started the season well and boasted one of the meanest defences in the league.

“We need to rediscover our character as a team and reaffirm a winning mentality.

“These are the two issues that have caused me a lack of sleep.

“I believe this group of players will come good but their inexperience means it will often be a bumpy ride.”

Carshalton led on Tuesday through Oliver Thornton’s second goal in four days – having hit the consolation in Saturday’s 4-1 FA Trophy defeat at Three Bridges – but Egham equalised and had a man dismissed for violent conduct just before half-time.

“I’d preferred it to remain 11v11 because, as strange as that sounds, we were the only team in it until the red card,” Massey said.

“But some of their challenges were terrible, we lost two important players [Jamal Alexander and Adriano Moraes] through injury, and the referee had to do his job.”

Carshalton host Guernsey this weekend (kick-off 12.45pm) as they look for a first league win in six.

“We all know we have to start winning again and Saturday offers a chance to get back on track,” Massey added.

“Guernsey are susceptible to conceding goals. We must try and take advantage of that fact.”