Tom Talks - after Skelmersdale United

After seeing his side take part in game that featured some lethal finishing Tom Wade felt it necessary to draw upon the catchphrase of one of England's most prolific strikers Jimmy Greaves to sum up the seven goal thriller against Skelmersdale United. Former Spurs forward Greaves would certainly have described it as a funny old game and Wade agreed but admitted he wants his side to learn from the mistakes that essentially cost them a valuable point.

"It was a funny old game, we should have won it and won it comfortably. We didn't take our chances and we let them score their goals against the run of play. We have to learn from the mistakes and games like these are a learning curve for us. We have young lads and they will grow as players learning from mistakes"

One of the big positives of an ultimately disappointing day for Spartans was the performances of wing duo Arron Wearmouth and Dan Maguire. The pair were a constant thorn in the side of the Skem defence and Wade pointed to Spartans inability to utilise the youngsters fully during the second period as a key reason why they returned to Northumberland with nothing to show.

"I thought both of them were superb, barring Hubbard's hat-trick they were the main positives. We got them into the channels in the first half and they were causing havoc but second half we couldn't really get them into positions where they could hurt Skelmersdale. In the end that has cost us."

Midfielder Craig Hubbard hadn't scored in the opening two months of the season but he found his shooting boots in remarkable fashion with a clinical hat-trick at the West Lancashire College Stadium. Wade led the plaudits for the former West Auckland man but challenged him to add to his tally throughout the coming months.

"They were three good goals weren't they? He breaks into the box really well and in all honesty I thought he was going to get another at the end there and get us a draw. He has goals in him and hopefully we will see more"

It's seven months since Wade took full charge of his first Spartans game as Ilkeston played their part in a five goal thriller at Croft Park in March. Kevin Wilson's side are next Spartans on Tuesday night in a game that Wade admitted he "can't wait for".

"We need people to stand up and be counted now and that begins on Tuesday against Ilkeston. I want to see just how we reaction to the loss today and I think we will do it in a positive way. We are gutted today but we will use that in our favour and in all honesty I can't wait for Tuesday night."