Winchester City 0 Barnstaple Town 3

Craig Davis says he has already "learnt plenty" after losing his first game as Winchester City’s player-manager.

The new era at Abbotts Barton began with a second-minute own goal, with Jamie Ford slicing into his own net.

Ford hit the crossbar as City started the second half brightly.

But Barnstaple scored a controversial penalty, after goalkeeper Lewis Noice was penalised, before netting a third.

Davis, who came came off the bench at half-time, said: “It was not the start we wanted but I’m not going to lose too much sleep over it.

“Sometimes you learn a lot about players in adversity and I’ve already learnt plenty. We changed our shape in the second half and were all over them for 20 minutes. I thought it was only a matter of time before we scored at least one.

“But after a breakaway we defended poorly; a half-clearance sent the ball up in the air and when Lewis tried to clamber over their striker the ref gave a soft penalty.”

Davis may well add some of his former Fleet Town players to the City squad but cannot do that for now, the Southern League transfer deadline having passed.

He continued: “It’s hard when you can’t add players to the squad to freshen it up, which is probably what it needs, but we're working on a formation and a shape and are having a look at players with a view to next season.

“We want to do well next season so planning for that starts now. As a player I was in teams that won leagues and I want to build a team that will challenge at the top.

“I think I’ve got the ability to do that at Winchester, there’s a great infrastructure and great people here and I’m excited about the challenge.”

Meanwhile, Ian Saunders is already back in football after his controversial sacking by Winchester City last week. He has taken on a coaching role at Sydenhams Wessex League AFC Portchester, alongside Graham Rix.