JOHN Coleman was pleased with what he saw from his Stanley players despite them being knocked out of the Lancashire Senior Cup by Manchester United.

The Reds led their illustrious visitors 2-0 but went on to lose 4-2 at the Store First Stadium.

“You’re always disappointed when you lose a game but I felt that we acquitted ourselves really well,” explained the manager. “It was smashing game and we played some good football. A lot of the lads haven’t had a lot of game time and there were a lot of tired legs towards the end but we got out of it exactly what we wanted apart from the result.

“It was a good experience for the players who played some good stuff and pressed really well. On another night we would have won. At 2-2 we were on top and missed a sitter really and they went up the other end and scored.

“When you play in a game like this you’re half mindful of trying to do too much but you have to give the lads their due they worked really hard and applied themselves really well.

“The crowd was decent and everyone through the gates helps. Speaking to Warren Joyce (United manager) he felt they get a lot out of games like this too with a crowd and a bit of an atmosphere so it’s good for all of us.”