DARREN Byfield says he'll be treating the end of the current campaign like a mini pre-season as he fights to turn Redditch United into promotion contenders next term.

Mid-table Reds have six game remaining and the boss is determined to get a head start on his summer preparations.

He said: "Fans can expect to see a few players coming in still because it's all about making sure I know exactly who I want for next season.

"The turnover of players has been far too high this season because I've had to get used to the level and what is required.

"That will not be the case next season and I'll be aiming to have a much more settled squad.

"Part of that is using these last few games to keep working with the players I have and looking at other players we would like to bring in."

United fell to back-to-back defeats with a 2-1 loss at home to Hitchin Town last Saturday.

An excellent strike from Dior Angus was not enough against their high-flying opponents.

The visitors scored early in each half to take the spoils having dominated the game against a home side who only sparkled for a brief spell midway through the second period.

It took Redditch an hour before they finally managed a shot on target, a low effort on the turn from Luke Keen. Moments later, Catlow pulled off another good save to keep out another Donnelly strike.

But midway through the half, the Reds were back on level terms with a moment of brilliance from Angus who chipped the ball past his marker inside the area and then volleyed just inside Hitchin keeper Michael Johnson’s far post.

Boosted by the goal, Angus almost added a second but glanced a Kaylum Mitchell cross the wrong side of the post.

But having been let off the hook, the visitors grabbed their winner 12 minutes from time when Walster’s free-kick was not cleared in front of goal and skipper Dan Webb turned the ball home at the far post.

Byfield was again left to rue errors against the promotion chasers.

He said: "I thought we nullified them in the first half and then caused them some real problems when we went two up top in the second half.

"But it was the same story again where we have made a mistake to let them in. We work all week on players staying with their men and winning balls into the box but then we haven't done it again.

"It's frustrating but we will keep working on it."

Reds will now take on fourth-from-bottom side Cirencester this Saturday.

"The fans pay good money to watch us and we have got to put a performance in for them," said the boss.

"We need to carry our second half performance against Hitchin into this game. If we do that and match their desire then we can win the game."

Donnell Benjamin should recover from a knock to feature this weekend.