LANCASTER slid to their 13th home defeat of a disappointing season at the Giant Axe on Saturday - and their last.

Another mediocre performance at home to Stalybridge Celtic did little to boost morale within the Dolly Blues camp.

It has left City with the task of hauling themselves back towards mid-table in their last matches of the season - all away from the Giant Axe. It is not a prospect manager Tony Hesketh is relishing.

"I was disappointed on Saturday as once again we failed to create chances, but we will keep on trying," says the Blues boss.

He remains optimistic that the season's tough experience will stand his men in good stead for next season.

"It has been a very bad season at the Giant Axe and we hope to remedy our form next time around because we need to do better. If we have aspirations, good results at home are very important," he told the Citizen.

"I can't fault the team, they have put in some good performances and the effort and commitment have been first class, but we have struggled to keep clean sheets."

He says all involved at the club had expected the progress made in the last three seasons to continue when the campaign opened last August.

And he adds: "You learn every season from the previous year's experience and we have learned that we must not take anything for granted. You have to earn the right to win matches and you. need to have a hunger for success.

"We have managed to make huge strides in the past and there was always going to be a levelling out season - hopefully this was it because we can not afford for this to happen again."