Naylor: We've got to stay positive

Photo: Paul Sterritt

Oldham Rougheds V Rochdale Hornets, match played at the Spotland ground, Rochdale. Oldham player,(green strip),Tyoyo Egodo, celebrates scoring a try for Oldham.

SCOTT Naylor talked of the "brutality" of the Kingstone Press Championship after watching Oldham lose their stranglehold on the Rochdale derby in the dying minutes.

Gavin Bennion and Ryan Maneely scored last-gasp tries for Hornets as Naylor's men surrendered a 12-point lead to finish with a 26-all draw.

It was the third time in four games that Roughyeds fell just short after doing what Naylor believed was enough to beat Featherstone Rovers and Rochdale away from home and London Broncos at Bower Fold.

The point took Oldham up one place and above Swinton Lions into eighth.

Underneath Roughyeds are Swinton, Sheffield Eagles, Dewsbury Rams and Bradford Bulls, who began the season on -12 and are now on -6.

Naylor said: "We are capable of beating top teams, but even when we deserve to beat them on the balance of play we are falling just short.

"Apart from Hull KR away, we've been the better side in every league game this season and that should stand us in good stead for the rest of the campaign.

"The only things missing are a few more 'W's in the appropriate column.

"We've got three points from five games, but only one point from three that we should have won and that shows how brutal this division can be.

"We've got to stay positive and prepare for our next league game comfortable in our own ability and confident that we are good enough to win."

NEW PROP

George Tyson and Richard Lepori made their first Championship appearances of the season - both did well - and new prop Jordan Walne, here on a month's loan from Salford Red Devils, made his debut in the front-row and scored the first of Oldham's four tries.

Danny Grimshaw, Keiran Gill, Jamel Chisholm and Jack Spencer didn't play.

Naylor said the squad picked up a few knocks which will be assessed at training tomorrow, ahead of Saturday's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fourth-round tie against Haydock at Bower Fold (1pm kick-off).

The match will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website.