Keeper says we are up and running and have to look forward as games comes thick and fast.

Goalkeeper David Richards believes it is important to try and take the positives out of Saturday’s home draw with Cheltenham Town.

The Alex were held to a 1-1 draw when a defensive lapse five minutes before the interval allowed the visitors to cancel out Mika Mandron’s well taken opener on 28 minutes.

Although we continued to have a lot of the ball in the second half, we found it difficult to break down a well organised Cheltenham defence again and we failed to create any real genuine chances in that second 45 minutes.

Richards, who started the seasonal opener ahead of Will Jaaskelainen (who has been recovering from Covid), told the club’s official website: “Of course, we were disappointed not to win the game in the end, but we have to look at the positives as well.

“It is a point on the board and we are up and running in the league. We didn’t lose the game and we can only get better from here. We have a few new players and it will take a bit of time to gel and for it to come totally together but we will get there.

“We have a cup game against Hartlepool and then a trip to Portsmouth at the weekend, so you cannot dwell on things. You have to look forward and look to improve. They are two more challenges to come through.“

On being number one for the opening day, Richards said: “It felt brilliant to play and to run out in front of the fans again. I thought it was a brilliant atmosphere and the fans were right behind us.

“Yes, we made a mistake for their goal but we all make mistakes and it is how you react to that. It happened before half time, so we all went in and encouraged Don. It was a question of giving him a pat on the back and telling him to ‘go again’.

“It happens in football, we all make a mistake at some point, and there is no point dwelling on it. It is history, you cannot change it and you have another 50 plus minutes to play.”