Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Devonshire has warned fans the only changes he can make to personnel will see some of the current squad leave the club first.

The Beavers were dumped out of the FA Cup by Ryman League Premier Division Sutton United on Saturday when they crashed to a 3-1 home defeat, with Craig Dundas’ second half strike proving only a consolation.

It was the second season in succession Hampton have lost to lower league opposition in the fourth qualifying round and the result sparked fierce criticism from fans on the club’s website this week.

Devonshire, who has led the team to successive play-off finals in two seasons of Blue Square South football at the Beveree, has watched his side make a slow start to the current campaign.

The success has largely been based on a shoestring budget and the former West Ham United legend admits overhauling the squad would mean some heading for the exit.

“We were poor at the weekend, what more can I say. I’m making no excuses,” he said.

“I’m always there for the fans. Anyone can talk to me about it, but if they want to put their thoughts on websites then that is up to them. I don’t really care.

“We’ve been doing well for years and all of a sudden everyone’s on our backs. We can only do the best we can and if that is not good enough for people then so be it.

“People have to remember we had a similar start to this a few years ago and we went on to win the Ryman Premier Division. I’m not saying that will happen this time, but there needs to be some perspective.

“We are not playing as well as we have done recently, I know that. But we just have to get on with it. We’ve only got a squad of 16, so I can’t make too many changes.

“I can’t afford to just bring people in. People will have to leave first to do that. We will see what happens over the next week or so.”

Hampton put the weekend’s disappointment behind them to register a creditable 0-0 draw at Eastleigh on Tuesday and extend their unbeaten league run to four matches.

Skipper Dean Wells, who limped off with a calf injury at the weekend, was rested for that match, but is expected to be fit for Saturday’s visit of Devonshire’s former club Maidenhead United.

“We could have won comfortably against Eastleigh. We hit the bar twice, but it was good we kept a clean sheet,” added the manager.

“We’ve got to kick on in the league now, we can’t afford to stand still. We’ve been drawing a lot and that has to change sooner rather than later. We can’t afford to stand still.”

Hampton’s next three games: Oct 31 Maidenhead Utd (h), Nov 7 Lewes (a), 14 Havant & Waterlooville (h).