A FURIOUS Mark Yates has warned that changes could be on the horizon for Harriers on the back of a woeful defensive performance and 5-2 defeat against Torquay today.

Away from the back-four it's no exaggeration to say that Harriers were more than a match for high-flying Torquay.

That's supported by the fact that many, including Yates, felt the hosts were the brighter side in the opening stages and after James Constable smashed himself to the top of the goal scoring charts in the Blue Square Premier it's a case of wondering what might have been had United's threat been dealt with.

Speaking after today's game, Yates admitted that he couldn't levy too much criticism at his side - defence aside - thought they still found themselves three goals behind, with Yates describing it a 'disgrace'.

"I thought 3-0 at half-time was very harsh, I actually thought we were the better team but we gave away three desperate goals," he said.

"I was at a loss at half-time, I thought we played some good stuff and created chances but again we didn't deal with things at the back. We went and had a little go [in the second half] and went and gifted them two goals.

"The players have said 'individual errors' and all that but this has happened too many times now.

"It was absolutely comical defending as a whole - it was a disgrace to be honest.

"Our forward players are giving teams a torrid time at the moment but we're gifting goals at the other end."

Veteran goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie didn't enjoy the best of debuts - but whilst he's confessed that his individual performance wasn't up to scratch, boss Yates has defended the Shrewsbury shot-stopper, citing that the entire eleven were at fault.

He added: "Chris hasn't had a good game today and he's the first to admit that but the defeat wasn't down to Chris, it was down to poor defending as a team.

"The fourth goal for instance - we'd got back into the game, and the next thing is one 40/50 yard ball - and the lad gets a free header on it, from six yards out? That isn't us.

"That's not how we set about defending and if I have to change personnel I'll do that because it's three five's we've conceded in 11 games now and I'm not best pleased."

With the midweek tie originally set for Northwich next Tuesday being pushed forward a week a fair while ago, Harriers now have a week's 'break' to concentrate on improving.

And improve they will have to do, as Yates further warned his squad that the Blue Square Premier new-boys will hand his players another thumping next weekend should things not change.

"If you think [Torquay] have got decent delivery into the area then you should see what Salisbury do - I've seen them play," he said.

"They'll just pump balls into our box and have four or five players of 6ft 3 plus and if we don't head it and stand up to the test, we'll get beat."