MARCH Town United manager Brett Whaley is using his team s break from league duty as an opportunity to develop his players and build fitness. The March boss was disappointed by his team s 2-1 defeat at home to Woodbridge Town in the second qualifying roun

MARCH Town United manager Brett Whaley is using his team's break from league duty as an opportunity to develop his players and build fitness.

The March boss was disappointed by his team's 2-1 defeat at home to Woodbridge Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase on Saturday - a game that the Hares looked likely to win.

Ashley Brand's second half goal seemed to have put March into the next round but luck was not on their side and when Talal Karama's shot struck the post, the game turned on its head.

The visitors from the Ridgeons Premier hit back and broke the hearts of the home fans with two goals in the final 10 minutes.

Whaley said: "There are lots of positives to be taken out of the game. We dominated for the majority of the match and if Talal's shot had gone in rather than hit the post, I am sure we would have won the game.

"We were the better side for 70 minutes but a combination of inexperience and a lack of an end product in front of goal cost us.

"The lads remain upbeat and we are now working hard in training to iron out a few little problems and build-up fitness levels."

March are in cup action again on Tuesday when they travel to Norwich in the Ridgeons League Cup preliminary round.

There are no fresh injury worries for Whaley but Lawrie Brand is not available for selection after returning to university.

However, Dan Gilbert is back in the squad and the March manager sees the game as a useful one.

He said: "I don't see the match as a distraction. Again, we will be facing higher league opposition and it will be a good test for the lads.

"There will be no pressure on us and it is not a must-win game but it will give us an opportunity to work on a few things.

"Training sessions have been important. We have been concentrating on keeping the ball better, defending as a unit and improving our cutting-edge when we break forward.

"We have not coped well when we have faced opposition that have over-loaded us in attack so that has also been something I have addressed."

Whaley is not expecting to make any new signings in the near future. He said: "It is important that we have a settled squad. We have introduced a lot of new players in the early stages of the season and now I want to avoid making any further changes for the time being.