WINCHESTER City player-boss Craig Davis should welcome back a few experienced faces for tomorrow’s Southern One South & West derby at home to AFC Totton (Monday, 3pm).

But after his young, patched-up side had produced “as good a performance as we could have wished for” at high-riding Tiverton Town yesterday, the missing players may have to form an orderly queue to get back in.

City lost a tight game at Ladysmead 1-0, but there was no shame in that for a side that travelled without Danny Smith, Robbie Matthews, Howard Neighbour, Jamie Ford, Danny King, Sam Wilson and Joe Hayward.

With youth team graduate Billy Brindley also unavailable, City had just 14 players, two of whom – Adam Tomasso and young John Darling - were not fully fit but bravely put their bodies on the line.

Only a 43rd-minute Levi Landricombe breakaway goal separated the sides and Davis felt City were hard done by in the second half when Stuart Green was wiped out by the goalkeeper as he set up Joe Briggs for a tap-in, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside.

The manager spoke glowingly of his side afterwards, saying: “We were outstanding. Tiverton are a big, physical side, whereas we’re a tiny team. They're all about long balls, free kicks, corners and long throws, but our lads really gave it everything.

“It was a terrible pitch to play football on, but we got it down and played some superb stuff.

“Their goal was harsh on our lads and we were unlucky to have one ruled out. If it was offside, their keeper should have been sent off and a penalty awarded.

“They’re fourth in the league and we were threadbare, but we were far superior.

“(Eastleigh targetman) Craig McAllister was there watching and he was very complimentary about us.”

Tomasso and Darling will struggle to face Totton tomorrow, Green picked up a knock and Davis has some aches and pains.

Looking forward to the clash, Davis said: “Louis Langdown's done well to keep Totton up. Like them, we’re trying desperately to play football, but the pitches probably don’t suit either of us. But it should be a good game and hopefully we’ll get a healthy crowd in.”

Tiverton remain a point behind third-placed Salisbury, who produced what manager Steve Claridge hailed a “totally professional performance” at Mangotsfield.

Tommy Wright’s opener was snuffed out by Ryan Batten, but a Connor McCormack own goal and one by Justin Bennett ensured a 3-1 Whites win. Tomorrow (Monday, 3pm) Salisbury host mid-table Wimborne Town.