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Moatmen missing a little bit of luck
Story courtesy of Andy parker - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers box John McGinlay reckons just the rub of the green stands between his team and a return to winning ways at Shepshed on Saturday.
Despite seeing a Rovers side containing four home debutants to a 1 - 0 home defeat by Dr Martens Western Division leaders Hinckley United on Tuesday night McGinlay said he was much encouraged.Said McGinlay: "It's the same as Saturday: I'm very, very pleased with the performance and proud of the players but disappointed about the result.
"We're just missing a bit of luck. Their keeper's fumbled a few tonight but it's not fallen to us."
McGinlay partly attributed to his team's improved display to the influx of new faces, with former Arsenal and Bradford midfielder David Donaldson handed his full debut and strikers Shaun Bedward and Ravi Sangha and keeper James Lindley making their first appearances at the Moat.
"Everybody knows there's competition all round the place - and there's more to come," said the Moat boss.
McGinlay took advantage of his attacking riches by dropping top scorer Simon Tucker from the starting 11 only to concede the former Carlisle United striker and produced his best display for weeks after coming on as a late substitute.
But he insisted: "If that's what happens then it's good. I wanted to see Ravi and Shaun together and it wasn't the best of conditions for them. They didn't get much service but did well."
McGinlay insisted there was "much more to come" from Donaldson.
"He puts himself about and he's a tiger: he puts his foot in. He hasn't played for a couple of weeks and it showed but he's got quality on the ball. He likes to pass and he likes to play," he said.
Despite appalling conditions Rovers picked up no new injuries, although defender Ian Bluck will be out for at least three weeks with suspected medial ligament damage and McGinlay himself is a week away from shaking off a calf knock.
Said the Moat boss: "We go to Shepshed on Saturday and we need a win in the camp as much for the supporters as the players."