FOLLOWING the display against Hayes a week earlier, the Dragons needed to start putting things back on track and to a point they did that at Histon.

"It was a good response from last week, a good defensive display and we had chances," said the manager.

"The referee has killed us in the first half - it was a blatant penalty on Gareth Taylor, which obviously affects the game.

"We have had other chances with balls flying across their goalmouth and Frank headed one over the bar.

"That's 11 cleansheets, I think, and we can work from that. As long as we don't give teams a two-goal start, as we did last week, then we're always in with a chance, like when Gareth Taylor had one in the last minute.

"It was a great battling display and on another day the officials might have seen things differently, but we've got a good, well-earned point.

"We knew it was never going to be a silky football match, but we did play some good football as well."

While he would have been happier with a win, the boss was not too downhearted with taking home a point.

"There was lots of good performances out there," said Dean.

"For example, Chris Maxwell, I never really expected him to play much this season, but he's come in due to an injury to Sam Russell and I think he's kept nine cleansheets.

"The back four have done great. I played Ashley Westwood at right back because we knew what to expect from their left winger Knight-Percival, who's good in the air.

"They hit a lot of diagonal balls, there's no hiding from it and also pick up second balls.

"There was always going to be lots of free kicks and lots of long throw ins. I think they had 10 throw ins in the first five minutes, after which I stopped counting."

While acknowledging a good display at one end of the pitch, the manager also realises the need to improve our record up front.

"While I'm pleased about our defensive record so far this season, we now have to solve it at the other end as well," said Dean.

"Although we have missed bagfuls of chances, by doing that it puts a strain on your back fours, yet they have held up well.

"I'm pleased with the way we defended today and I'm pleased with the attitude of all of them."

It must be frustrating for Marc Williams not to be back amongst the goals after his exploits last season.

"I've been where Marc is, there break of the ball in the first half when he went through on the keeper and it didn't bounce his way," said Dean.

"He's also had shots blocked, but he's worked his socks off

"But it's difficult to play against them."

Turning his attention away from Histon, Dean started looking forward to the week ahead.

"I've said to the players in the dressing room that this was the first step and if we can get a result against Kidderminster on Tuesday night, then we can continue building again," he said.

"We have some players here who are young and have not experienced the pressures that are on us at the moment.

"It is pressure, because we are expected to get out of this league and I'm trying to teach them to cope with that every day."