WARRINGTON Town boss Stuart Mellish remains upbeat about his side’s start to the season despite Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Spennymoor Town.

The Yellows travelled to the North East with high hopes of extending their winning start to life in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, but a Graeme Armstrong brace and goals from David Dowson and Tom Craddock ensured Spennymoor, who were promoted with Town last season, took the three points despite Gerard Kinsella’s late goal.

The defeat came after Town started the season in impressive fashion on Saturday when two Danny Ventre goals secured a 2-0 victory over Stourbridge at Cantilever Park.

Despite the disappointment of Tuesday, Mellish remained in confident mood.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s so far so good for us,” he said.

“To be fair to Spennymoor, they are the best side we’ve faced since we played Gateshead in the FA Cup two years ago. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by the better side.

“We played well in patches, especially at the start of the second half but we didn’t punish them and they counter-attacked with pace and quality.

“We probably underestimated how good they actually were but we’ll take it on the chin and move on.”

While admitting the defeat was a chastening one, the Town manager says he was able to learn more about his side as a result.

“People often ask me what I think the most important game of last season was and I always tell them it was the defeat at Northwich,” he said.

“It’s games like that and the Spennymoor game that you realise you’re not as good as you think you are.

“We went there full of confidence after a great result and performance against Stourbridge and we got caught out.

“Sometimes reality checks like that are needed and I think it will only benefit us going forward.”

Town now have the opportunity to bounce back with three home games on the spin, starting on Saturday when Grantham Town are the visitors, kick off 3pm.

Mellish has called on his players to stand up to what could be an intense physical test against the Lincolnshire side.

“They are organised, big and strong. It won’t be pretty,” he said.

“They’ll have two big guys playing up front so we’ll have to face a lot of direct football. The lads need to win their battles first and foremost.

“We know our ability will shine through if we do that and we’ll be in with a great chance.

“Three home games is the perfect chance for us to bounce back. The fans who came up to Spennymoor were excellent and we need their backing again on Saturday.”

Following the Grantham game, the Yellows are back in action on Tuesday when they welcome Whitby Town to Cantilever Park, kick off 7.45pm Their FA Cup first qualifying round opponents have been determined and they will travel to Workington on Saturday, September 3.