AFC TOTTON have created solid foundations to build on as they look to arrest a slide of four straight league defeats at home to Bishops Cleeve on Saturday in the Southern One South & West.

Although Tuesday's visit of Mangotsfield United ultimately ended in disappointment, manager Steve Hollick felt his team "defended properly" for the first time this season.

Barring some loose play that led to Mangos' Ben Bament bagging the only goal of the game with half-time approaching, Totton at last demonstrated that they are capable of concentrating for the whole 90 minutes.

"Obviously it was disappointing to lose 1-0, but it was a much better performance," said Hollick.

"We defended well as a unit, from the front right the way back to Steve Mowthorpe in goal.

"We were first to the ball, we won our headers and we dealt with their threat.

"The only thing missing was putting the ball in the net.

"It was good to have Nick Watts and Mike Gosney back and we created some good chances, but we weren't clinical enough.

"Sherbs (Nathaniel Sherborne) looped a header over and Neil Williams did the same, but there was no real quality with the final shot.

"It was frustrating on that side of things, but the flip side was that we actually defended properly for the first time this season, so it was bitter-sweet."

With forward Mark Lilley back in training after groin trouble and international clearance finally coming through for wideman Kyle Joryeff, Hollick has everyone available bar on-loan AFC Bournemouth defender Jack Simpson who has ankle ligament damage.

Joryeff, principally a wide right player, signed forms last month but, having last played in France, his paperwork was delayed in the wake of the recent Paris atrocities.

"Kyle's champing at the bit to get involved," said Hollick. "He'll bring a bit of extra quality and experience.

"Squad numbers are creeping up now and my next challenge is to address that. But it's nice to have 19 or 20 to choose from and, for the first time, I can pick the squad I want."