Weston may have made a trio of signings this week but they were ultimately outclassed on the pitch as they were downed 5-1 away at East Thurrock United on Saturday.

It was the Seagulls’ biggest defeat of the season and their tenth in a row in the National League South, illustrating what a huge job new head coach Scott Bartlett has on his hands.

There was some brighter news earlier in the week as Bartlett began to make his mark on the squad by adding three players to the side.

Young defender Aden Baldwin has joined the Seagulls on an initial 93-day loan from SkyBet Championship side Bristol City.Bartlett has also utilised his connections at Forest Green Rovers by adding Jon Moran to his squad, who joins from the National League side on a month-long loan deal.

But perhaps the most welcome news for Seagulls’ fans is the return of Jamie Laird, who spent a successful four seasons at the club.

The experience of Laird will no doubt be key for Bartlett’s squad who need to get out of a losing mentality.

Laird can play both in central midfield and in full back positions.

Bartlett said: “He is a talented player who will give us options within the squad. He is fully focused and gives his all.

“We are delighted to have him on board.”

But it was not the return he was hoping for and Weston once again went behind relatively early in the first half.

After 23 minutes, East Thurrock broke away quickly down the right flank. Kane Ferdinand was on hand to receive the ball and made no mistake when he finished in the bottom left hand corner.

But the Seagulls were soon back in the game after an improved passage of play.

Eliot Richards and Joe McClennan went close to levelling things up but it was Dayle Grubb who finally got the breakthrough just before the break.

He did well to win the ball and then fired home the deserved equaliser.

The momentum was firmly with Weston as the half-time whistle.

However, once again Weston conceded early on in the second half as Tom Wraight gave East Thurrock the lead once again thanks to free-kick which Luke Purnell had no chance of saving.

It seemed to have a real impact on the side and they conceded again six minutes later when Reece Harris fired home.

Nothing was going right and with 20 minutes to go James Walker added a fourth afterhis shot was deflected in. Joe Ellul then made it five ten minutes from time.

It was another damning defeat for the Seagulls and Scott Bartlett will be looking to see significant improvements in the coming weeks.

The Seagulls now sit 19th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.

Weston travel to Oxford City on Saturday, with a 3pm kick-off.

Can Scott Bartlett turn it around for the Seagulls? Vote in our poll here.