Pinchbeck United are beaten by Gresley Rovers in the United Counties League Premier Division North

Pinchbeck boss Lewis Thorogood felt Saturday's defeat at an impressive Gresley Rovers side was a good learning curve for his new-look Knights team.

Thorogood had no complaints about the 3-0 away defeat in Derbyshire as Gresley maintained their strong start to the new United Counties League Premier Division North season.

The Moatmen scored twice in the opening period before adding a third after the break against a Pinchbeck side who handed a debut to new signing Harry Peasgood who has previously played for Stamford and Deeping and impressed on his Knights bow.

Thorogood said: "We were beaten by the better side and there are no complaints from me.

"Gresley were physical and strong in all the right ways. They were well-drilled and had that bit of experience and know-how and I defy many teams to go there and get a result.

"We created our own problems a little bit by not tracking the first goalscorer and being too casual for the second one.

"We were undone by two setpieces but we knew it was going to be a very difficult afternoon.

"We worked hard and tried to compete with them which we did and we became stronger as the second half went on. We showed periods of really good link up play.

"Gresley were a very good outfit though and it's given us that vision to aim to where we want to be and it was a good learning curve for us.

"We are still going in the right direction, slowly but surely, and with little baby steps we are getting there."

Pinchbeck fell behind after just five minutes of the contest at the Moat when Mason Frizelle gave Gresley the lead.

The hosts had been thwarted moments earlier by a fine save from Alex Smith who had denied Ryan Seal.

However, Smith was powerless to prevent Frizelle from heading home after rising at the back post to meet a corner.

The lead was then doubled just past the half-hour mark as Gresley scored from another corner as this time Danny Munday headed home to put the Moatmen in control at half-time.

Smith again kept Gresley at bay after the break with a full-length stop to deny Seal before Pinchbeck started to grow into the contest with Harry Robinson seeing a dangerous cross being cleared and new signing Kristian Gagyi from Boston United's Academy testing the home goalkeeper from a free-kick.

Gresley then wrapped up the points with nine minutes remaining as Steven Hart chested down an Ashley Brown pass before smashing a superb half-volley past Smith.

Pinchbeck were then awarded a penalty in the final minute when Nathan Moss was fouled by Lucas Harrison in the box.

Moss picked himself up to take the resultant spot kick which was then saved by Lewis Fenney in the home goal as he parried away the penalty.

Pinchbeck are without a game on Saturday due to their FA Cup exit before making the short trip to Deeping Rangers on Tuesday, August 24.