Spennymoor are a very good side who only just missed out last season on promotion to the National League, losing in the play off final in a penalty shoot-out, but I like what we have got in our side and knew that we would be competitive.

Over the 90 minutes we matched them and we finished the game full of credit; I thought our lads were brilliant and worked their socks off. We defended when we had too, especially early on, but broke quickly. I was really happy with that performance – I could not have asked for anything more.

The lads have worked hard pre-season to be fit to play football – I am not one for marathon runs! At the end of the day we matched Spennymoor physically. The front three who started the game (Casey, Donald and Nathan) were able to hit them down the sides on the counterattack and then the introduction of Jake Day in the second half brought the physical element into play. I think that showed both sides of our game when it was needed and the lads did it well today.

Part of our tactic was to sit deep and invite them on, break quickly. Perhaps at times we were pinned a little too much. I told them at half time when we went in one down, that we would not just go through the motions, let it drift and accept a 1 -0 defeat. I thought , with Jake Day on, we played a little better, a bit more direct.

We never celebrate losing but the way we played, saw us match them right through. In the changing room the lads felt quite proud of themselves but there were things that we need to be sharper about and we will look at on the training pitch.

Leeds United on Wednesday is exciting. It is a great platform for our players to show what we are all about – I can’t wait!

Curtis