Jody Marks believes South Manchester Sports Club 1st are still the team to beat in the Accountants League despite a 5-2 defeat against title rivals Miam Miam.
The league champions were left to rue a series of missed chances as they trailed 3-0 at half time.
Two quickfire strikes from Adam Lavin hauled South back into the game, only for Miam Miam to kill the game off with two more goals to condemn South to their first defeat of the season.
Marks said: "We didn’t give up and with better refereeing, a bit more luck, and more ruthlessness in front of goal, it could have been a very different story.
"We have made a really positive start to the campaign and I don’t feel that this will kill our season.
"There were enough positives to take from the game to believe that we are still the team to beat and I expect us to bounce straight back next week against Lawds."
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