THEY got their points tally for the season up and running on Monday night and, although they were just moments away from taking all three points, Daisy Hill’s manager Brian Hart was delighted with the performance of his young side.

The Daisies had opened the Hallmark Security League First Division North campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Garstang on Saturday.

But with something of a makeshift squad Hart’s side drew 3-3 at home to Longridge Town, with only a 95th-minute equaliser denying them a first victory.

Longridge, promoted from the West Lancashire League Premier Division last term, led eight minutes in on Monday night and doubled the lead 10 minutes before the break.

But after an own goal offered them hope, Daisy struck through Jack Iley’s penalty to level matters and Danny Warburton hit a third to send the hosts into half time 3-2 ahead.

But an exhilarating match ended with the teams sharing the spoils as big-spending Longridge snatched a draw in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The point felt like scant reward for their efforts but Hart – who still has players to return to the fray – came away from New Sirs delighted with the effort and attitude of his players.

“It was a blow in respect of the timing of their third goal but overall they had had a few chances and we’d ridden our luck a bit,” he told The Bolton News.

“But the way we came back in the first half, and the momentum we built, was pleasing, we were quite competitive and dealt with what Longridge were doing quite comfortably, as well as having a few more chances ourselves.

“It was just that one moment at the end that caught us out but the high tempo of the game meant we had some weary legs out there but we showed a lot of character and kept going.”

Daisy, who finished the last campaign second-bottom in the division, had missed out on playing two of their pre-season friendlies and went into their curtain-raiser at Garstang on the back of a heavy defeat to Atherton Collieries in their final warm-up outing and with 11 players missing.

Little wonder, then, Hart is relishing the chance to get stuck into three or four training sessions with his squad before their next league game, against Avro on August 18.

And likely to be among those turning out are a trio returning from their holidays, goalkeeper Ryan Walker, midfielder Macauley Ferrington and Chorley striker Sope Awe.

“I’ve got a few decisions to make once we’ve got through the next few weeks’ training sessions,” added Hart.

“Craig Haynes has stood in in goal while Ryan has been away and done a great job for us.

“Some lads have made it difficult for me, with good performances in the midfield, when Mcauley returns and we’ve been playing with two wingers, rather than natural out-and-out forwards up top.

“They’ve filled in well and done a job but we have been a bit light so we would like to have our full squad together.

“We had four members of our youth team in on Saturday and they really played their part, some of the others were taken by surprise and I was quite happy with their attitude and their appetite to get stuck in.

“That Longridge game was one where, in recent years, Daisy Hill have had a bit of a soft underbelly and would have gone under. But they battled hard against a good, physical and experienced team who saw a small and young side who they thought they could overpower.

“That Colls defeat was a good example of the levels of hard work we should be aiming to get to. They didn’t enjoy the game but they will have learned a lot from it. Hard work is the basis of what we’re trying to achieve – they put a shift in and they were devastated not to have got the win.”

Atherton LR are still looking for their first point of the First Division North season, as they went down 3-0 at home to Carlisle City.

Warren Jones’ men will hope for better fortunes when they travel to St Helens Town tomorrow night.

Rovers and Daisy Hill have both been handed difficult first-round ties in the Lancashire FA Partners Foundation Challenge Trophy.

Yesterday’s draw saw LR drawn away to Evo-Stik West side Clitheroe while Daisy have been handed a home tie but against an Evo-Stik Premier team, Bamber Bridge.

Their First Division North rivals Nelson will host Colls.

The West Lancashire League season got under way on Saturday, with mixed fortunes for local clubs.

Tempest United had a first-day victory at home to Haslingden St Marys, Nathan Monson netting two with Tom Booth and Jordan Coop also scoring in a 4-2 win.

But Craig Jones’ first game in charge of Turton was a 3-1 loss to visitors Hesketh Bank as Paul Lomax scored a late consolation.

Turton and Tempest were to face each other in a derby at Thomasson Fold last night.

In Division One, CMB ran out 3-0 winners at Ulverston Rangers, Scott McNair, Tom McNair and Charlie Scholes all scoring in the second half.

Stoneclough also got their first three points on the board as Ste Ward hit the only goal of their game at home to Askam United. But there was no joy for Eagley, who were defeated 4-2 at Leyland United.

All three local clubs were scheduled to play last night, with CMB hosting Lostock St Gerards and Eagley welcoming Stoneclough to Dunscar Bridge for another big derby.