Paul Cook said there were plenty of positives to take from Saturday, despite his side’s 4-1 defeat to Coventry in their last real pre-season friendly.

The Reds boss had said he wanted to field his strongest side in this clash but admitted he was thwarted as he is still bringing in personnel to bolster his squad.

But he was pleased with his side’s attacking threat and delighted that his new loan signing, Karl Sheppard from Reading, got on the scoresheet.

However, two quick goals by the League One side gave the scoreline a flattering look and Coventry were able to capitalise on any Reds’ mistake.

In the opening minutes James Gray, starting up front after signing a Stanley deal, had a couple of efforts while Luke Clark and George Miller were not afraid to have a go on goal.

But a debatable penalty given away by defender Toto Nsiala – just minutes after he had been spoken to by the referee – following some pushing inside the box ended with John Fleck firing home from 12 yards.

The Reds lost Dean Winnard to a minor injury and not long after former Gillingham man Cody McDonald made it two with a shot from 16 yards out.

Stanley still pressed with right back Craig Lindfield putting crosses into the box and left winger Aidan Chippendale doing the same but then Fleck got the ball 45 yards out, saw Ian Dunbavin off his line and superbly chipped the keeper for what was a wonder goal.

There were the customary changes with McDonald firing home a cross to make it four before Nsiala went off injured meaning Cook had to field his fourth centre-half partnership, with first Winnard and Nsiala starting together, then Nsiala and Murphy followed by Nsiala and Eckersley and finishing with Eckersley and Michael Liddle.

Sheppard looked lively when introduced and he created something out of nothing with a shot from the left edge of the area sneaking into the right-hand side of the goal.

Last season’s loan striker Padraig Amond got a welcome return as he came onto the pitch after returning from Portugal to play, although he was due to fly back to finalise the end of his contract with club Pacos De Ferreira this week.

Murphy headed over for the Reds while Dunbavin kept out Carl Baker and Callum Ball in the dying minutes of a game in which Cook was keener to look on the bright side.

"I do feel like the message is getting across," said the Reds boss.

"If you keep putting crosses into the opposition box you will score goals. James Gray had a couple of chances early on and we could have been leading.

"But goals change games, although I have got to be a bit critical of the referee with the penalty.

"If you give that, you will give plenty throughout the season.

"But we then lost concentration, we let the first goal affect us dramatically, and they scored a quick second and it went on from there.

"But we will make mistakes and at times things will go wrong, we know that, and we have got to learn from this.

"It’s a learning curve for us.

"But we played some good attacking football at times and you can see the ability Karl has, although he is still integrating into the squad and it will take time.

"With Karl and Podge we have that little bit of firepower we have been lacking, although we will still be looking to strengthen.

"As I’ve said all along we never get too carried away if we win and too down if we lose and this was a worthwhile exercise and there were some really good performances out there.

"We don’t like getting beat but we are still getting the squad together but I think the fans can see that it’s an exciting time for the club."

TEAM: Dunbavin, Lindfield, Nsiala, Winnard, Liddle, Joyce, Miller, Barnett, Clark, Chippendale. Subs used: Dixon. Moluneux, Hatfield, Sheppard, Murphy, Eckersley, Wint.