Wanderers’ B Team manager Matt Craddock says his side have learned “a good lesson” following their late defeat at Atherton Colls.

A Colls trialist got the only goal, finding a way past Ellis Litherland with a fine strike from 25 yards moments before the final whistle.

But Craddock felt there were plenty of positives to take from the new side’s first outing in front of supporters.

“I think if you take the last minute and a half out of the game, we are coming away with a completely different perception – we are coming away really pleased,” he said.

“We are trying not to focus on that little lapse of concentration. I think the good thing is it is a good lesson to learn.

“These lads want to go and play at first-team level and when you play against good players, you switch off for a second and you get punished for it. That is what happened today.

“What I am really pleased with is they stuck together and worked hard. We talked about coming to a place like this – a really organised, hard-working team – we have to earn the right to play.

“I think we had our first five, 10 minutes where we had to fight our way into the game. Once we did get into the game, I think our quality started to show and we started showing some of the patterns we have been working on and some good bits of play.

“Probably with a little bit of luck, we might have gone in at half-time with a lead.”

New recruits Lynford Sackey, Nelson Khumbeni, Connor Stanley, Conor Carty, Gez Sithole and Matty Grivosti were all involved for the Whites.

“It is fantastic for the boys,” added Craddock. “We have had a big build-up in pre-season waiting for this – the lads and the staff were really excited. We have all worked really hard for this moment.

“These are (the games) where they make a mistake and the crowd are on them, and that is something that they need to get used to.

“We need to provide as many experiences so that when they do step into a first-team environment, they can handle it and they know how to handle it.

“Today, we have come up against men - good players, really well-organised. They have a really solid gameplan and are a very good side.

“I think we held our own for the majority of the game.”

Craddock’s side also have matches against Bamber Bridge, Southport and Warrington coming up as they prepare for the new season.

They will compete in the Central League as well as friendlies hand-picked friendlies against other B Teams and Academies.

“That probably shows just how ambitious we are, that we are coming off here disappointed when really there are so many positives to come from it,” the manager explained.

“I think when we sit and watch the game tomorrow, we are going to see those things. We are here to develop individuals. It is not just a team, but it is individuals to support the first team.

“I think when we look back at the clips, you are going to see some really good stuff from the individuals. That is really pleasing considering this is the first game they have played with each other.

“They don’t have those relationships like other teams that have been playing together for a season where they know what other people are thinking.

“This is brand new for these lads and for game number one, I think we are really pleased with it.”