NEIL GIBSON was encouraged by what he saw from Flint Town United despite his first game as manager ending in defeat to Cefn Druids.

And that opinion has been formed on more than one watch of the bottom of the table showdown between the Silkmen and visiting Ancients, who came from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

Gibson was up long into the night replaying the events of a game that started promisingly courtesy of captain Richie Foulkes’ opener, but ended in defeat as Alex Darlington, pictured far right, and Iwan Cartwright struck for Druids, who climbed out of the drop zone as a result of their victory.

“It’s always the same after games of football. The adrenaline is pumping,” said Gibson. “It was always that way when I played and nothing has changed now I’m a manager.

“You are always replaying moments right after games have finished and you accept you won’t be able to sleep so you have another look at the game and what went right and what didn’t.”

Gibson and Flint’s preparations for the crunch clash were far from ideal with the weekend’s trip to Penybont postponed due to Covid-19 related issues.

“To be honest, I’m really, really pleased with the players,” continued Gibson. “I can’t speak highly enough of them after this game. In the seven days we’ve had, we had one team meeting to outline what was wanted, what is expected and what I will do for the players, and then Covid hit.

“The first time we managed to see the group after that was for a quick one hour session on Monday before the game on Tuesday night, so to produce what they did was a credit to them.”

And Flint could have been celebrating victory, but for some familiar issues rearing their ugly head at both ends of the pitch.

“We controlled the game in the first-half, we had 58 per cent possession, scored and had three very good chances to add more goals,” reflected Gibson. “We could be 3-0 up, but it was only 1-0 and things can change quickly with that scoreline.

“They grew into the game in the second-half, but we’ve conceded two goals from set-pieces.”

For Druids it was a second successive victory that propelled them up to ninth in the table, two points above the drop zone.

Attacker Chris Aziamale was delighted to back up the 4-1 home victory over Haverfordwest with an away win, writing: “Great win today. The boys worked for each other, everyone gave 100% and we didn’t stop believing.”

There was further reason to celebrate for Druids as former Wrexham and TNS attacker Darlington’s goal brought up his century in the Welsh top-flight.

Darlington wrote: “Buzzing to get 100 @CymruLeagues goals and the win @CefnDruids.”