DARREN Carter was encouraged by the display from Furness Raiders after they suffered a narrow 28-20 defeat away to Wakefield on Wendesday evening.

The hosts, coached by Wakefield Trinity player Liam Finn and featuring a number of players from the Super League club's under-19s, were 14-0 up after 30 minutes.

But tries from Adam Ford and Jack Crarey, plus a conversion from Jake Carter, pegged them back to 14-10 at half time in the match at Belle Vue.

Three more tries saw Wakefield establish an 18-point lead, but the Raiders fought back again through tries from Aiden Wright and Jake Stockdale, with Carter converting the latter.

"There were a lot of positives in the way the lads stuck to their task," said Furness head coach Carter, whose side again featured several debutants.

"Jake Stockdale and Tyler Batty went well and it was good to see Matty Brown get through a full 80 minutes since sustaining a severe ankle injury four months ago.

"The youngsters making their debuts all went well and I have no doubt that this group will have a good campaign."

Furness play their first home game of the College Rugby League season next Wednesday when they welcome Loughborough to Craven Park (kick-off 7pm).

Furness Raiders: Jake Stockdale; Adam Ford, Tyler Lancaster, Zac Steel, Jonny Hutton; Jake Carter, Ethan Bickerdike; Ioan Hayes, Aiden Wright, Tyler Batty, Matty Brown, Charlie Emslie, Danny Wright. Interchange: Harry Gordon, Jack Crarey, Alfie Thomas, Brad Richards, Harry Higgins, Cameron Hetherington.