LOSING 3-1 away against a team flying up at the top should be less painful than a 1-1 draw with lowly Rochdale, but it's not, In both games Stanley have shown flashes of the team of champions from last season.

The Lincoln fans I chatted to on the way out summed us up quite well - "a nice passing side at times that just need to take your chances and not give away silly fouls".

The international call-up for Rommy Boco did not help our cause at all. The quality and effort that he brings to the team is a joy to behold.

But Andy Todd worked his magic on the wing and I am sure he will score more than his fair share of goals this season.

It could also have all been very different had Andy Mangan scored from his one on one with the keeper, but in keeping with the rest of the evening the Lincoln stopper made a top class save.

I am sure that we will bounce back from this and that the team that defeated Forest will turn up more often than the one that played at Lincoln.

We need to take stock, sign a striker on loan and punish the weaker teams in the division.

We will not be at the bottom by the time the smell of turkey fills our festive homes and we will improve all season. The quality we seem to show in the second half of our matches will see us through and the positives from the Carling Cup and Barnet games must not be forgotten.

But the highlight of the weekend for most Stanley fans this weekend was the wonderful display by the fans' team on Sunday.

They defeated Stalybridge fans 4-0 in a rain-swept first match of the season. The tired legs in the stands on Friday night were shaken off as the fans' league champions fought hard to a well earned victory.

And who was that shadowy figure under the umbrella on the touchline, a certain Mr Coleman looking for some striking talent?

All player enquiries should be directed to Craig and Tony, Clayton End ASFC.