WANDERERS may have slipped to defeat in their first pre-season outing but Neil Lennon didn’t have many complaints with their performance against Sturm Graz.

After Kristijan Dobras opened the scoring for the Austrians, Mark Davies’ goal just after half-time looked to have done enough to earn a credible draw. But a controversial penalty award two minutes from time against Dean Moxey allowed Roman Kienast to score the winner from the spot.

Moments later, the same player was then sent off for a nasty challenge on Oscar Threlkeld, which prompted a melee involving players and staff from both teams.

Lennon was pleased enough after giving 45 minutes to all his available players.

“Considering that was their first run-out I thought they looked very good,” he said.

“The shape was good. There was a little bit more experience on the pitch in the second half and I was very pleased with Gary Madine – I thought he was excellent – so was Ben Amos.

“I’m not going to go through individual players but I was very pleased with what I saw.”

Liam Trotter and Emile Heskey sat out with minor injuries but should now be available for Monday evening’s game against SC Paderborn.

Lennon handed a first start to Amos, and introduced new signing Derik Osede in the second half.

The Whites boss was impressed by the start made by bustling striker Madine, who worked well alongside the fit-again Zach Clough in the first 45 minutes.

“He won every header, more or less, and he can play,” Lennon said. “He’s going to be very important to the way we want to play this season.

“He was a focal point for a lot of the good things we did in that first half. The second half was a little different, we didn’t have Emile Heskey fit but hopefully we will do on Monday.

“Some of the football we played was high standard, and coming so early it was very pleasing.

“More than that I that, even though they only had 45 minutes I thought the players looked in very good condition. They have worked very hard this week.”

Lennon also confirmed there had been no approach from his former Leicester City about the vacant managerial spot at the King Power Stadium.

“I’ve got nothing I can say, it’s speculation, and it’s easy linking me with the Leicester job being an ex-player,” he said.

“I think I’m one of about 27 that has been linked with the job over the last week, so it’s all I can say on it really.”