A fourth defeat in their opening five league games was not without positives for Huntingdon manager Daniel Woodhead.

The Hunts Post: Huntingdon Town striker James Wills in action at Blackstones. Picture: MARTIN DAVIESHuntingdon Town striker James Wills in action at Blackstones. Picture: MARTIN DAVIES (Image: Archant)

He saw his side fall to a 2-1 reverse at Blackstones in Division One of the United Counties League last Saturday.

Town, probably not helped by a nightmare journey which meant the majority of their squad didn’t arrive at the Stamford venue until 20 minutes before kick-off, fell behind after a quarter-of-an-hour when failing to deal with a set-piece into their box.

But they responded well to level just seven minutes later as Manny Obodo rifled in his first goal for the club after a Charlie Stafford cross from the left dropped into his path just inside the box.

Parity proved to be short-lived as the decisive Blackstones goal arrived on the half-hour after Town had been undone down their left.

The Hunts Post: Sheldon Washington on the ball for Huntingdon Town in their defeat at Blackstones last Saturday. Picture: MARTIN DAVIESSheldon Washington on the ball for Huntingdon Town in their defeat at Blackstones last Saturday. Picture: MARTIN DAVIES (Image: Archant)

Two terrific saves from goalkeeper Dan Smith denied the hosts further goals in the first half whereas there were few clear chances in the second period despite Town adopting an attacking approach.

He said: “I wouldn’t go as far as saying we deserved something from the game, but I didn’t think there was a massive difference between the two sides either.

“Experience is what won it for Blackstones whereas we have a very young side who are still trying to gel as a group as well as get to grips with this level of football.

“We didn’t do well enough defensively for both Blackstones goals and that’s been a factor in several games so far, but there were positives as well.

“When we’re in possession we look dangerous and can hurt teams, but off the ball we’re not where we need to be and that’s something I’m looking to address.

“A defeat is a defeat regardless of the scoreline and we have to start learning to grind out results.

“It’s all about winning personal battles in this division. If we do that, we will pick up points as a team.”

Woodhead gave a debut to midfielder Jerome Bertram at Blackstones. His brother, Liam Woodhead, was also sent on for a first Town appearance as a second-half substitute.

Huntingdon are without a league fixture this Saturday. Their next outing is on Tuesday when they go to higher-level Yaxley in the opening round of the Hunts Senior Cup.

It’s a repeat of last season’s Hinchingbrooke Cup final which Yaxley won 4-0 in May. Not a single member of the Town squad from that night remains at the club. Previous boss Jimmy Brattan resigned a couple of days after that final defeat and was replaced by Woodhead.