Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves said he was disappointed his side only came away with a point from 1-1 draw in the opening home fixture of the season against promotion favourites Wrexham.
The Glovers fell behind to a soft goal from Paul Mullin, which the boss admitted his players were “annoyed” at conceding, but fought back and earned a point thanks to a stunning strike from forward Malachi Linton, his first for the club.
However, the arrival of substitute Gime Toure, who was signed on Friday having been released by Carlisle United at the end of last season, saw the hosts carve out a number of opportunities in the second half.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the match, Hargreaves said: “I’m disappointed actually because we should have won that.
“But the lads have showed tremendous character after conceding early from a pretty simple long ball which we had discussed, so the boys are annoyed with themselves on that one.
“The good thing is they could have wilted and they didn’t in a high pressure game, they showed great character and for the second week running the second half was an entirely different game. Saying that, I thought we were competing in the first half, more than competing.
“On reflection, we should have won the game, but we are playing against a very good side and we can take heart from it and go in to another game on Tuesday against a good opponent (in Barnet).”
The boss started with three central defenders in captain Josh Staunton, Max Hunt and Morgan Williams with Charlie Wakefield and Jamie Reckord playing as wing backs, despite the formation causing issues in the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United seven days earlier.
Hargreaves said: “We did essentially match them out of possession, but in possession we wanted it to be about us and our good players.
“I was contemplating changing it in the second half to be even more on the front foot, but when Mal did that I thought ‘let’s let us do our thing and think less about the opposition.
“And, but for a little bit more devilment in that six yard box, we win that game and I don’t think it would have been undeserved.”
Of Linton’s goal of the season contender, the manager said he continued to have faith in the striker despite him not finding the net in pre-season.
He said: “I know what Mal can do. He was at King’s Lynn last season where my son (Cameron) was playing and that is why I saw Mal a lot.
“What I saw was someone who was brave and thrives on goals and maybe it hasn’t quite happened for him in pre-season, but that is one hell of a goal in any game.
“He deserves it for his hard work and we’ve kept faith with him because that is what he can do.”