STEVE Hollick couldn’t have asked for a better response from the players in his first game as interim AFC Totton manager.

But sadly for the goalkeeping coach, placed in temporary charge following Steve Riley’s departure, he didn’t get the luck to go with it.

Hollick’s baptism as a boss ended in a 1-0 Southern One South & West defeat at Yate Town – despite the Stags hitting the woodwork three times and having what appeared a perfectly good goal chalked out.

Yate broke the deadlock early in the second half when Charlie Hitchings hammered in his first goal for the Bristol club after some superb wing play from Jacob Cox.

But Totton were more than deserving of a point with Craig Feeney and Mike Gosney both hitting the post, Zac Mouland smacking the bar and the match officials contriving to deny them an equaliser.

Even Yate’s website report acknowledged that their side had had “a massive let-off” when Feeney’s effort appeared to have crossed the line before home ’keeper Martin Horsell got to it.

But the linesman’s view was impeded and play was allowed to continue with Yate managing to hold strong and bank all three points.

“We hit the bar, hit the post and even scored, but their goalkeeper pulled the ball back from over the line,” said Hollick.

“We had another chance right at the end when Jamie Blackburn’s flashed one across the face of goal but no one got a touch on it.”

Disappointed as he was that Totton’s pressure came to nought, Hollick couldn’t have been prouder of the side.

“The wind was quite a leveller and in the first half and we defended really well,” he said.

“Then, playing with the wind, we threw everything at them.

“I’m as pleased as you can be losing.

“Our workrate was phenomenal and there were some exceptional performances out there.

“Apart from the goal, I don’t think our goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe had a save to make.

“The manner in which the lads played was really pleasing. They wore their hearts on their sleeves and really looked after the ball.”

Having never managed before, it was a step into the unknown for Hollick, but he needn’t have worried.

Under-16 manager Shaun Kitcher joined him in the dugout at short notice and Totton’s senior players backed him to the hilt.

“Everyone rallied behind me and I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said. “There were some massive positives to come out of the day and it was a lot better than I thought it would be.

“I had to make some difficult decisions of who to leave out, but the players took it on the chin and everyone was very professional throughout. The attitude, workrate and team spirit was spot on.”

Totton, now 16th having gone ten games without a win, host North Leigh this Saturday and travel to Fleet Town on Easter Monday.