Lancaster City boss Jimmy Marshall is eager "to get down to the real thing" after a satisfying pre-season, and ready to rotate his squad to get through an eight-game August.

That gruelling first month in the Northern Premier League starts against two fellow top-10 sides from last season – the Dolly Blues visit Ashton United on Saturday before the Giant Axe opens its gates to welcome Warrington Rylands next Tuesday.

Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Heaton Stanningley meant Lancaster ended pre-season with just one defeat (to Charnock Richard) and Marshall told the club's media team: "It's been pretty good. I've probably seen more injuries picked up than in the last couple of pre-seasons but that's part and parcel with hard grounds.

Nico Evangelinos equalises against Heaton Stanningley with Lancaster’s final goal of pre-season Photo: MICHAEL PORTER PHOTOGRAPHY

"I don't think we've got any fresh injuries and we have no-one definitely ruled out for Saturday except Lewis Mansell. Squad numbers are in good order.

"The first month is unforgiving and then you sort of drop off the cliff edge and go to Saturday-Saturday. We won't run though August with 16 players. We'll have to really rotate and keep players as fresh as we can, and that's without any more injuries."

NPL East club Heaton took the lead on 13 minutes, when Adam Person diverted Connor Walker's effort into the top corner. Jim Craig's goal-line clearance and an outstanding save by Brad Kelly from a header by Sado Djalo kept he deficit at one.

The hosts fought back and Sekouba Sanogo glanced a header just wide before Nico Evangelinos beat the keeper at the second attempt on 78 minutes.

Marshall added: "We were pretty slow in the first 20 minutes but it was a really good test against a big, strong side. We grew into it but were nowhere near our best, with a few injuries, niggles and lads away. Brad (Kelly) made a terrific save at 1-0 and Nico deserved his goal.

"Sam Kelly and Aaron Bailey (who went close to a winning goal) have both done really well and it's a real plus point to integrate them. They are showing we have that pathway coming through."

Two Saturday fixtures have been switched to Friday to increase recovery time before holiday Monday matches. Lancaster will visit Guiseley on Friday August 28 (7.45) and host Bury on March 26 (Good Friday, 3pm).