TIVIDALE boss Ross Thorpe says there were a lot of positives to take from his side's opening day defeat against Shaw Lane Aquaforce.

Two late goals saw determined Tivi lose 2-1 against their newly-promoted opposition last Saturday.

However, the management team of Thorpe and Phil Male were delighted with how their new-look team battled throughout.

Thorpe said: "The desire, attitude and work ethic was outstanding.

"They were a really good side with both quality and experience all over the park and probably deserved to win it on the balance of play.

"We had to take a big punch on the chin at the end and it is the way we lost so late in the game that will disappoint the players.

"But we can't be down about it because that will happen, especially against a side that was as good as they were.

"What the game did show me was that we can more than compete with teams like that.

"We have players that have come a long way that were playing step six football last season. The result may not have gone our way but I'm over the moon with how the side worked for each other.

"There are a lot of positives to take. We now need to be patient and continue to work on improving as the season goes on. It will take time.

Tivi had to soak up a lot of pressure throughout Saturday's opening day battle at The Beeches and had goalkeeper Tom Turner to thank for keeping them in the contest on more than one occasion.

However, just as the match looked like it could end goalless, the game's substitutes had their say in the final 15 minutes.

Tivi wide man Chris Rabone opened the scoring against the run of play just moment after coming on in the 75th minute, cutting onto his left foot and curling a brilliant effort into the bottom corner.

However, it would be Shaw Lane's changes that were to prove even more influential.

Adam Priestley grabbed an equaliser in the 89th minute before fellow substitute Lee Bennett netted in the first minute of stoppage time to break Dale hearts.

Tivi were set to take on Newcastle Town away last night before travelling to Spalding United this Saturday.

"We now have two very tough away games," added Thorpe. "We will know a lot more about where we are after we have played them. Both teams should have good seasons in this league.

"Ultimately, there is no pressure on us at the moment."