DIRECTOR of Football Nigel Hawkins believed Yate Town could take positives out of their 3-2Lodge Road defeat to North Leigh on Tuesday night which signalled an end to the four-match unbeaten streak since losing to Cinderford three weeks ago.

Hawkins watched as Yate’s encouraging first-half performance slipped away in the second period when North Leigh striker Jamie Cook hit a hat-trick.

Victory would have risen Yate to within touching distance of fifth-placed Larkhall Athletic, who also lost to Cinderford on Tuesday evening.

But missed chances and some extreme bad luck, having hit the woodwork twice either side of half-time, could have put Yate away and clear before Cook spurred the opposition.

But, while there was disappointment in the home dressing room after the match, Hawkins remained upbeat to an extent.

Hawkins said: “Goals change games and on Saturday (when Yate won 4-2), that is what happened. Tonight, we hit the crossbar for 2-0 and we would probably have seen the game off. Into the second-half, Jacko (Jake Jackson) has hit the crossbar and on Saturday that flew into the top corner.

“Yes, we are massively disappointed and we deserved at least a point if not more. But the positives are we are playing well and creating chances. I think we will cause a lot of sides problems so we are moving forwards.”

The home back four looked pretty solid during the first period but were shaky when Cook and his North Leigh strike partners got into their stride after the interval.

Hawkins added: “We have just talked about the fact that we are conceding too many goals and we need to learn from that very quickly.

“I think they (North Leigh) showed some good quality in the right areas. The cross for the final goal was great. That was the difference between the two sides. We got into good positions, particularly in the last third, and didn’t deliver the quality ball that was required and they did.”

And Hawkins would not allow himself to blame the closeness of the match against North Leigh with the high of a 4-2 victory over Didcot Town on Saturday.

“I am not a great believer in that. I understand it but we focus on every game. We were on a good run and we are happy to play anyone at the moment because the confidence is quite high.

“Obviously, I have come in and they are getting used to me but we will pick ourselves up and go again down at Wimborne on Saturday. There are still seven games left and anything can happen.”