DAISY Hill manager Craig Thomas believes Saturday’s last-minute 4-3 defeat to leaders Nelson will give his side a huge confidence boost.

The New Sirs men were routed 8-0 by the big-spenders in the reverse North West Counties League Division One fixture, but were deservedly holding them 3-3 with seconds to go on Saturday.

The encouraging performance of the team that sit third bottom went unrewarded points-wise when the visitors grabbed the last-gasp winner, but Thomas says it could have a beneficial effect on his players.

“Considering we lost 8-0 last time we played them, and they are at the top and we are towards the bottom, it was a confidence shot for us,” he said.

“We also had exactly the same team out as last time apart from the club’s top scorer Daniel Gregory who came back and played his first game of the season on Saturday.

“He scored one and set one up so having him back, and one or two more to come back, should set us up well for the future.”

Craig Flowers put Daisy ahead on four minutes before Nelson scored two goals in quick succession midway through the first half.

Tom Allcroft levelled on 71 minutes only for Nelson go ahead again a minute later.

Gregory equalised again five minutes from time and Daisy looked on course for a big point until the heartbreaking winner.

“We thought it was a foul in the box for the final goal which made it even more disappointing,” said Thomas.

“But we can take a lot out of the game and it will give our lads a big boost confidence-wise.

“We have beaten Atherton Colls and gone close to Nelson who are the two best sides in the division.

“That tells us we can go head-to-head with anyone in the league on our day.”