KEVIN Watkin is encouraged by the fact his Holker Old Boys players were left disappointed with taking a share of the spoils from a match with one of the North West Counties League First Division North's high-flyers.

It was honours even between Holker and fourth-placed AFC Liverpool at Rakesmoor Lane two weeks ago, with the hosts having led 3-1 before a late fightback from the visitors saw them snatch a point and stopped the home side from doing the double over them.

Old Boys are back in action tomorrow away to another of the division's top teams in third-placed Lower Breck, who they stormed to a 6-2 win over at the end of January on their own patch.

And player-manager Watkin is pleased to see his side have the determination to win every game no matter the level of their opponent rather than settle for draws as they bid to make certain of their status in the division.

"It was a cracking performance and we deserved all three points," said Watkin. "At the end, we were all very frustrated we only came away with one.

"To go into the changing rooms and see the lads, it was more frustration they'd dropped two points rather than gained one against a team in that position in the league.

"So it shows they had that little of self-belief to know they are good enough to get these results and they should be competing against these teams, and good to see they were annoyed with themselves and disappointed they hadn't taken all three.

"That's what you want because then you know they're pushing themselves to get those kind of results. It had its positives and it's negatives, but you've got to balance them."

Holker have several players unavailable for tomorrow's match away Lower Breck, although Watkin is confident they have enough depth in the squad to be competitive at the Anfield Sports and Community Centre.

The midfielder knows they must keep picking up results against the teams around them too if Holker are to secure their NWCFL status for the 2019/20 season.

"We try to reinforce it with them a lot of the time and it's about consistency," said Watkin. "We took points off Lower Breck when they came here, we went to AFC Liverpool and turned them over away and deserved all three against them at home.

"It's just about the consistency and making sure they do it on a regular basis and they do understand that. They can't just be up for these big games, they have to do it week in, week out."

One of those is Holker's postponed game away to Steeton, which looks set to be re-arranged for Wednesday, March 27 kicking off at 8pm.