PAUL Smith took the positives from Bromsgrove Sporting’s defeat to Midlands Premier's Coventry United.

The Rouslers were beaten 3-2 at Sphinx Drive as they suffered just their second league loss of the campaign.

But the manager felt this was his team’s best display.

He said: “We gave the lads a game plan and they executed it very well and I feel for them to be honest because I don’t think we could have played any better.

“We have a very talented group of players but at times we have played like individuals.

“This was the first performance all season where we looked like a team and we worked incredibly hard.

“This is definitely a result we can build on and I do think Coventry will drop points across the season.”

But Sporting’s manager felt his side were also unlucky.

Pierre Moudime appeared to handle the ball in the build-up to United’s leveller, while the manager felt his side should have been given a penalty after a defender appeared to catch Reece Hewitt’s cross.

He said: “I do feel that if certain decisions had gone our way the result may have been different.

“I am not blaming the referee for the result because it’s a hard job but it could have been a different story.”

Sporting, who were set to play Lichfield last night, welcome Atherstone to the Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm ko) in the league and Malvern next Tuesday in the Worcestershire Senior Urn (7.45pm ko).

Brendan Kelly may be an injury doubt with a foot problem.