Avro manager Alex Frost refused to be too downbeat despite a 2-0 defeat by local rivals Wythenshawe Town at the Vestacare Stadium on Saturday afternoon, which sealed an eighth consecutive win for the side managed by former Avro reserve team management duo James Kinsey and Dan Whiteside, writes Liam Bambridge.

“I thought we were good today in patches, I didn’t think we deserved to lose by two goals,” said Frost. “But ultimately they were just that little bit better. On Friday morning, they had a very good team, and by Friday afternoon they were able to bring in a top quality player who ended up making a big contribution in this game.

“They are operating on a different planet financially from any other team in this league, and they are absolutely determined to get out of it having just missed out last season.”

Frost was referring to former Curzon Ashton striker Benito Lowe, who joined Town less than 24 hours before he got on the end of a James Dwyer header from a corner to give his new side the lead after eight minutes.

The visitors were content to keep the ball and try to preserve their lead for much of the remainder of the encounter, but it took an excellent save from keeper Elliot Wynne to keep out a curling long range effort from Michael Afuye which looked destined for the top corner just before the interval.

After the break, the home side had more of the possession and territorial advantage, but they were unable to find an equaliser, with Liam Ellis and substitute Ethan Sutcliffe coming closest to drawing their side level.

However, the game was over as a contest with five minutes remaining, when after a scramble in the Avro six yard box, Greg Wilkinson swept home the loose ball to seal the three points.

The final scoreline was thus the same as when the two sides last met in February, but Frost was quick to downplay its significance. “Anyone who saw the two games will know that there is a big difference between the way they panned out. Last season they were very comfortable, we barely laid a glove on them.

“Today they really had to work hard for the win, especially in that second half. It is a sign of how far we have come in a little over six months; they are a top side and we are a lot closer to them than we were.

“If we can stay close to them over the next seven months, I have no doubt that we will be looking back on a very good season in April.”

Next up for Frost’s side is another local derby at Prestwich Heys on Saturday, who are managed by Lee O’Brien and James Hampson, the duo from whom he took over in January of this year at the Vestacare Stadium.

“It should be a cracking game,” said the former Ashton United defender. “They have also had a decent start to their season, and I am sure that they will be looking to get one over us.

“We will prepare as thoroughly as always this week in training, and we will also remind the lads that we have won eight out of our first ten league games.

“They were really disappointed after today’s game, but they need to get it into perspective, get over it and move on. I am sure that they will have done that by the time the first whistle blows on Saturday afternoon.”