MANAGER Dominic Cunliffe praised the Bashley rearguard effort despite a 10th league loss on the spin at Larkhall Athletic.

Cunliffe, appointed nearly a fortnight ago, felt that defensive improvements had been evident in Bash’s 3-0 defeat at the Southern South & West high-fliers.

Luke Bryan put the hosts in front moments before half-time and the lead was doubled after the restart when a Bryan cross-cum-shot went into the net.

Larkhall grabbed their third soon after when Bryan was fouled by Joe Petty in the box and Tyler Sibbick stroked home the penalty.

Boss Cunliffe told the Daily Echo: “We are getting better at holding off the opposition and stopping them from scoring.

“We have got an orthodox back four now which helps, which we didn’t have in the first couple of games of my tenure.

“We contained them in the first half and I was extremely pleased with the lads.

“The boys were a bit disappointed that Larkhall scored so deep into stoppage time of the first half but you have to accept that.

“In the second half they caught us straight away, which was disappointing, and then were awarded a dubious penalty which they scored from. We were deflated but kept plugging away.”

Attacking duo Will Weston and Andy Langley both made their debuts having signed from Wimborne Town while another new recruit, former Team Solent striker Louis Le Mesurier, was ruled out through illness.

Cunliffe continued: “I was very pleased with the boys’ attitudes and approach to the game plan.

“We’re starting to compete now which is pleasing as before we would roll over a bit and let teams boss us about.

“The lads are improving game on game. They are training hard and delivering what we’re asking, and as a coach you can’t ask for any more than that.”

Bash: C Maher, Keith, D Maher, Booker, Hall, Aimson, Petty (L Speechley-Price, 70), Coombes (Adams, 78), Bosma, Morris, Weston (Langley, 60). Unused subs: Cullingford, Moore.