IAN Long was disappointed that Tividale’s good run of form came to an end in the narrow 1-0 defeat at Goole AFC on Saturday.

‘Dale conceded a penalty two minutes from time which was converted by Goole left-back Liam Schofield and Long admits it wasn’t the greatest afternoon from a Tivi perspective.

“We weren’t at our best by any stretch of the imagination. The pitch wasn’t the great and it didn’t suit us. We never really got into our rythmn throughout the afternoon.

“To concede the penalty late on was disappointing and we never had any time to get back into the game. I have to say that both benches found some of the referee’s decisions strange for both sides but that’s no excuse for losing the game.”

Long’s side now turn their attentions to the Quarter-Final of the JW Hunt Cup with Sporting Khalsa on Tuesday evening and the former Tipton boss is looking forward to welcoming longstanding friend Ian Rowe (Sporting Khalsa Manager) to The Beeches.

“It’s going to be a tough game – I know that ‘Rowey’ is looking forward to it and we get on ever so well off the field. We will have to be at our best to win the game because Ian has got them well organised and they have had a great season.

“From our point of view, we want another Cup Final at the end of the season. We are the holders of the competition and we want to defend the trophy at Molineux in May.”