Deeping Rangers are beaten by Melton Town in the United Counties League

Newly-appointed boss Brett Whaley feels there is a lot of work to do despite starting to see some early improvements in his Deeping Rangers side.

Whaley has taken charge of the Clarets for the opening two games of his tenure at the United Counties League club.

They played out a goalless home draw with Ashby Ivanhoe in the Premier Division North on Saturday before losing 4-1 at Melton Town on Wednesday night to sent Deeping back to the foot of the table.

Despite the margin of defeat, Whaley was able to take positives from his side's performance against their unbeaten third-placed hosts.

He said: "I asked for a better performance than Saturday and, although we drew that game, I felt we got it because we played some better football.

"It is a very tough place to come early on because they do test your shape and organisation which is one thing which we haven't had.

"You can see little things starting to improve and, what we looked to improve from Saturday, we did.

"It does hurt to come away without any points and, although there are improvements and pleasing points, the reality is that there is still a lot of work to do.

"There are positives throughout the side but it is small margins and, when you play against the better sides, they really exploit you.

"It's not a bad thing for us to come and see what it is about at the top end of the league because that is where we want to be competing eventually. We just know that there is a long road to get there."

Melton had hit the front through Harry Wakefield after just seven minutes with Ryan Calver doubling the advantage just before the half-hour mark.

Rangers cut the deficit after the break when the impressive Jonny Lockie was brought down and Josh Moreman converted from the penalty spot.

However, Melton responded immediately and Yaegan Gore restored their two-goal advantage on the hour mark.

Calver then scored his second of the game and Melton's fourth in injury-time to send Deeping to their seventh league loss of the season.

Whaley added: "We were off them a little bit in the first half, didn't close them down enough or talk enough.

"I thought we got better as the first half went on and the second half was a decent performance.

"You do get frustrated by the final scoreline but the last goal late on is probably down to tired legs because we did put a lot into the game.

"We came up against a very good side and, when you're slightly pulled out of position, then they exploit it and make it very difficult for you to hold your shape.

"The boys adapted to the changes which we made so they're listening and learning from what we're asking them to do."

Rangers had picked up their league point of the season after a goalless home draw with Ashby Ivanhoe in Whaley's first match at the helm.

He commented: "It was important to keep our first clean sheet because we're in a situation where we're in a bit of scrap at the moment.

"I was really pleased with that aspect of the game but I didn't feel we kept the ball well enough.

"We do need to get a little bit fitter as a side but, if we keep giving the ball away as much as we did, then we are going to get stretched and it will become difficult for us.

"They are things which we can work on but ultimately we saw a group of lads with a bit of fight and we need that with where we are in the league."

Rangers take a break from league action on Saturday as they travel to league rivals Belper United in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.