Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver was upbeat despite his side's 3-2 defeat at Northwich in Blue Square North.

Two early second-half goals from Trevor Benjamin, one of four Town debutants, cancelled out first-half strikes from Matt Bailey and Mark Danks.

Wayne Ridley scored a 30-yard free-kick near the end to wreck Town's hopes of a point after two heavy defeats.

Weaver told BBC York: "That's the best performance we've put in for quite some time, we've got a cohesive unit."

Weaver had promised "radical changes" after shipping four goals in each of their last two games against sides who are not particularly strong.

Apart from Benjamin, he brought in left-back Ben Chapman from Eastwood Town, midfielder Richard Dunning for his second spell at the club, and striker James Harwood, latterly of Gateshead.

The new-look side gave a good account of themselves against a Northwich side that would be second in the table but for the pre-season 10-point deduction.

"This is a new team now. We've found out where we've been short and we've added to it," Weaver said.

"I've really tried my utmost to change it this week, and I've done that... so far, so good after one game."

The narrow defeat lifted Town one place to 19th, above Redditch on alphabetical order after the midlands side lost 3-0.

"I've learned a lot in the first 12, 13 games and I believe I know the right way to go now," Weaver added.

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