YATE TOWN manager Dave Mogg has urged his side to repeat their spirit from the 1-1 draw with Bishop’s Cleeve to turn their fortunes around.

It looked like Yate were going to get their first league win since September 26 when Edd Vahid gave them the lead on 92 minutes at Lodge Road last Saturday.

But James Vercesi appeared to handle the ball before scoring the equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

A dejected Mogg was left bemoaning his side’s naivety but took comfort from the way his players fought.

He said: “I thought we showed terrific spirit considering we’ve been on a poor run. If we can build on that, if you keep working hard and keep sticking together you can gradually pull out of it.

“I’ve spoken to the ref about it (the handball) and he said he thought the ball hit the guys hand but he didn’t think it was intentional use of the hand.

“What I’m more disappointed with is the fact that we’ve defended like hell all game, we’ve lost a goalkeeper and Stuart Nelson has gone in and done fantastic in goal, then right at the death Joe White has given away a stupid free kick on the edge of the box.

“That’s why I keep harping on about bringing more experience into the club because that ranks of naivety.”

It has been another frustrating week for Mogg in the transfer market though with Clevedon striker Pete Sheppard and Bristol Manor Farm front man Luke Clarke turning down offers to join Yate.

Experienced midfielder Rob Cousins looks set to stay with Paulton Rovers but Mogg said: “I will keep pursuing it until he tells me it’s dead in the water.”

The Yate boss is set to talk to two more strikers and is also on the lookout for a midfielder.

The injury suffered by goalkeeper Josh Dempsey last Saturday isn’t as serious as first thought and he is hoping to recover from severe bruising of the ankle for the Frome trip on Saturday.

If not, Adam Growcott is waiting in the wings with former number one choice Lee Matthews linking up with ex-Yate boss Richard Thompson at Almondsbury Town.

Mark Reynolds (suspension), Kyle Shallcross, Adie Adams and Zayne Simpson (all ill) are set to return.

Sam Duggan is a major doubt to face his old club and is waiting for X-ray results after fears he has done further damage to his shoulder, while White has returned to Bristol Rovers at the end of his loan spell.

Frome are unbeaten in ten league games and Mogg said: “Since Darren Perrin’s (Frome manager) been there he’s improved things a lot.

“It will be another game to pick ourselves up for and it will be a difficult game.

“We’ve got to show the same sort of spirit we showed on Saturday and improve our football.”

Yate will face Mangotsfield United in the Southern League Cup on Tuesday night at Cossham Street after this week’s clash was postponed.