JOINT manager Ben Hall reckons his Barnoldswick Town men can grow into a Vodkat League force – and says they will learn from Saturday’s FA Vase exit.

Barlick were beaten 1-0 by Maine Road and Hall admits Town failed to reach their full capabilities as their first venture into the competition ended in the disappointment of defeat.

However, he insists they can come back from the loss and grow stronger for the rest of their debut season in the Premier Division.

“We left Manchester extremely disappointed with both the result and the performance,” said Hall.

“We didn’t turn up on the day and too many players were off the pace which we can’t afford to do at this level – but that’s football.”

Hall added: “We didn’t deserve anything, although we were denied a cast iron penalty and we hit the bar at 0-0 and that would have changed things significantly if those things had gone our way.

“There is no panic though, a defeat at Maine Road isn’t the end of the world.

“We are going to lose games at this level, and nobody should be under any illusions otherwise.

“Every game is difficult, but we are competitive and once we get key players back we will be a force, there is no doubting that.”

Hall’s men, who have 11 points from nine matches, return to action on Saturday when they welcome Formby Town to Victory Park.