PHIL Male has called on the Tividale players to show a positive response following their last minute heartache against Shaw Lane Aquaforce during Saturday’s season opener at The Beeches.

Dale were 1-0 ahead courtesy of substitute Chris Rabone’s first touches of the ball but Neil Priestley and Lee Bennett scored two twice in the final two minutes of normal time to take all three points for the newly promoted Yorkshire outfit.

And Male, 36, claims that although the last minute goal was a bitter pill to swallow, the visitors were worthy of at least a point overall.

He said: “We switched off, the first goal has quite clearly affected our concentration levels and it’s a difficult one to take.

“But Shaw Lane were very good, I have to say, and it looked as though we were going to hold out for what would have been a very good three points having been under pressure for large parts of the game. They are a good side.”

And the former Sutton Coldfield Town star insists Dale’s players can draw positives from their performance, adding: “We showed what we are all about. I thought we worked extremely hard, defended well in the main and Chris (Rabone) took his goal superbly.

“We need to respond by showing the same grit and determination tomorrow night at Newcastle, which will again be a difficult game, for sure. But we will go there knowing we can cause them problems and hopefully we can get get off the mark.

“These two away games (Newcastle & Spalding) are tough but they represent two good opportunities to get points on the board before we play Rugby Town at home next Tuesday night.”