No-one can be happy with a defeat but Eagles boss Mick Watson feels Monday's exit from the West Riding County Cup to Avenue was a creditable performance.

"The changing room was very quiet after the game; the lads were down because 4-1 looks a bit of a hammering," admitted Watson.

"The scoreline did us no favours at all but it could have been so different. If one of our chances had gone in, who knows what might have happened. Avenue have better players than us, play at a higher level and you can't ignore those facts.

"They were the better side, especially in front of goal, but all of our lads played well and I was chuffed to bits for them. They have been under the cosh for weeks and weeks but the last two performances have been very encouraging."

Watson underlined the desire to overturn United's recent slump and feels a watershed has been reached.

He said: "We have a couple of players returning to the squad and I think we have turned the corner with injuries and unavailability. Let's hope that brings a change in fortune regarding results.

"We just need a bit of luck to get the win that is needed to lift the confidence of the players. We won't come up against goalkeepers of Jon Worsnop's class every week either. He was outstanding on Monday.

"Ryan Wood came back for us in that game and was superb, while Danny Ferrand is also back in training after missing four months.

"He hurt his knee against Liversedge in one of our first games this season. He battled through that and then picked up a calf injury before other problems.

"It has just been a catalogue of setbacks for Danny but he will be getting a run-out with the reserves today. We hope he will be ready to join the first-team squad soon and be part of a resurgence from us."

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