MANAGER James Beattie felt that some of Stanley's attacking players didn't do themselves justice during Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Southend .
An 85th-minute penalty by substitute Lee Barnard was all that separated the sides after a tight opening-day contest at the Store First Stadium.
“Southend came here and played long ball, and I thought the lads stood up to it really well,” Beattie told the club's official website.
“In the first half we withstood everything that Southend threw at us. And apart from two milliseconds we did exactly the same in the second half.
“It's just unfortunate for ourselves that a couple of our flair players weren't at the races.
“If a couple of our better players had been on form then it would have been a much closer affair,” added the Reds' boss.
“We spent a lot of time trying to get the ball back, and as a result, we gave it back to them quite cheaply, and straight away.”
New keeper Luke Simpson marked his Football League debut by saving a 47th-minute penalty by Barry Corr. But his and Stanley's day was spoiled by Barnard's late spot-kick.
“There was nothing in the game, as far as I'm concerned,” said Beattie. “We created some decent chances in the first half, not many in the second, but the game was decided by a penalty.
“It was a 0-0 draw all day long. Southend didn't look like scoring from open play but came up against a resistance, not just from our back four but the whole team.
“I think they were surprised by how resilient we were. Had we still been playing till nine o'clock then I don't think they would have scored (from open play).”
