MANAGER Dean Saunders is looking for a positive reaction following our FA Trophy exit at the hands of holders Ebbsfleet United when the Dragons take on Salisbury City at the Racecourse tomorrow:

"One thing's for sure in football, you'll get more downs than ups! That's a message I've been drilling home to the players after the disappointment of Tuesday night's defeat.

"No matter who you play for, you can't win every game and it's those players who can come back from downs like that who go on to reach the heights of this great game.

"That said, last Saturday's first meeting with Ebbsfleet was probably as poor as we've been since I took over, especially in the opening 45 minutes.

"Having then travelled overnight to Kent, I was pleased with our preparations for the return game and decided to recall a number of players with Marc Williams also returning to the starting line-up after serving his one-match suspension.

"I have since had the opportunity to analyse the game on DVD and I have to say I was disappointed with some of our positional play, particularly at set pieces.

"We do need to get a bit closer to people at times but, overall, it was more a case that Ebbsfleet really raised their game.

"Yes, we'll no doubt have a few more setbacks before the season ends, but it's how you react that counts.

"You come back and make sure that the first few things you do in the next game are good. And that's what I'll be expecting this weekend."

Read more from Deano in Saturday's matchday programme, which is on sale around the ground at just £2.50 for a monster of a read!