LANCASTER CITY boss Tony Hesketh remains patient in his squad building for the new season as his side continue their indifferent pre-season.
A good performance in drawing at home to Barrow followed two heavy defeats against Crewe Alexandra (8-1) and
Fleetwood Town (3-0), but Hesketh is upbeat.
He said: "Nobody likes to lose like we did to Crewe, but Friday night's game against Barrow was a good workout, they kept the ball for long periods but we are about a month off season and three or four players need that time to regain fitness."
After losing three key players to big spending rivals – centre-backs Jonathan Smith and Michael Stringfellow joined Chorley and Fylde respectively while high-flying winger Roger Sharrock departed for Chester – the experienced boss is happy with his squad's development.
He said: "We will be giving one or two young players a chance, as usual here at Giant Axe, while Farrell Kilbane will join up with the squad. There are six or seven players who we are looking at during friendlies.
"We cannot compete financially with the likes of Bamber Bridge, Chorley or Fylde but we will try and unearth that non-league diamond, and there will be plenty of players who come available towards the start
of the season."
Last Friday's game was a tough test for the Dolly Blue's against a well organised and strong Barrow side.
City took the lead against the run of play after Barrow's joint manager Darren Sheridan was adjudged to have handled in the box, Adam Farrell sweetly dispatched the penalty on six minutes.
A slick passing move saw Danny Forrest equalise just six minutes later, and a combination of poor finishing from he visitors and sharp saves from the excellent Marin Fearon kept the score level.
There were certainly glimpses of City's potential, particularly through Mike Rushton down the right and the lively Josh Kenworthy up front.
Hesketh said: "We caused them some problems and our defence did really well, Andrew Teague was a different class and Guy Heffernan did well."
The sharp Mark Boyd fired the visitor's ahead on 56 minutes only to see Dolly Blue substitute Aaron Helliwell grab a great equaliser with his first touch of the game.
n Lancaster City's Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday August 9 at the Dolly Blue, and will start at 7pm.
