Manager Jason Cook saw plenty of positives in Diss Town's derby defeat to Harleston Town in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North

The result may have gone against his side, but manager Jason Cook saw enough from Diss Town during Saturday’s 1-0 derby defeat against Harleston Town to be positive about the future.

The Tangerines had headed into the Brewers Green Lane contest on a poor run, with their last Thurlow Nunn League First Division North victory coming back on August 25.

And that negative sequence was extended thanks to a first-half goal from visiting captain Jake Imrie, which was enough to seal all three points for Adam Gusterson’s league leaders.

However, having been critical of his team’s performances in recent weeks, on this occasion Cook was pleased with what he saw and has challenged his men to produce similar displays going forward.

“If we play like that every week we will beat a lot of teams,” he said.

“Harleston are a good side and you cannot take anything away from where they are in the league – they have put the points on the board.

“But I thought we were the better side overall and that was because we did not make silly mistakes, which has been the story of our season so far.

“We have been here before when we have picked up a couple of wins and we have not built on it.

“But there was a positive vibe about us and I think the players actually believe that they can do something in this division now going forward.

“That was the first time I was able to put probably our strongest line-up out there and it is no coincidence that we went on to produce a decent performance.”

Sixteenth-placed Diss’ search for a first league victory in five outings takes them to the side directly below them tomorrow – Wisbech St Mary (3pm).