HALESOWEN Town boss Rob Smith says his side are edging closer to where they need to be despite a derby defeat against Stourbridge.

A brace from Luke Benbow bookended a Kaiman Anderson strike as the Glassboys took the Boxing Day bragging rights at the Grove.

However, Smith thinks that bit of extra quality in the final third is all that separated the sides.

He said: “I thought for long periods we matched them.

“There were some positive signs there but we’ve shot ourselves in the foot conceding. We spent 20 minutes talking about set-pieces and they concede in the first minute. That doesn’t help.

“But we reacted well to that. For long spells we stuck together. We played some decent stuff but they were clinical.

“Their strike force was a handful and we weren’t really and that was the difference between the sides.

“They’ve been together a long, long time and you could tell that at times. They’re a strong, efficient team and we’re a completely new dressing room thrown together.

“So, as I’ve said a millions times and will keep saying it, it’s going to take time. But if we keep playing like that and add a bit up front then we’re not a million miles away.

“There were some positive performances but we need points. We’re fully aware of that but I think we’re getting there slowly.”