Ballinamallard manager Gavin Dykes gave an honest assessment of his side’s performance as they went down 6-2 to Glenavon at Mourneview Park on Tuesday night.

It was not the start the Mallards were looking for as it came hot on the heels of Saturday’s controversial loss to Glentoran in the opening game of the season at Ferney Park.

And Dykes admits that his side were never really in the game against the Lurgan Blues, despite taking the lead in the first half.

“We were totally beat up a stick, totally outplayed,” said Dykes. “We took the lead but that was against the run of play and we were lucky to go in at 1-1 at half time.

“Richard Brush made some fine saves to keep us in it in the first half but we were punished for our mistakes in the second half.

“We didn’t deal with runners, they had more desire, they had more hunger than us. They were far better than us and they had quality in places.

“We can have no complains whatsoever about it.”

However, the Mallards boss is not about to hit the panic button and insists that they will put this game to bed and move on to Saturday’s encounter against Cliftonville at Ferney Park.

“It is a tough week, make no bones about it, but we have to put this behind us and move on.

“We’ve got to regroup, we’ll get back to the drawing board on Thursday and let’s see if we can move it on.

“I’m not going to panic or anything like that, we have another game on Saturday against Cliftonville which we know will be tough but we have got to try and push on and do what we have to do,” he stated.

Dykes had a busy summer as he brought in six new player and he acknowledges that it will take time for the squad to gel.

“It is going to take time for everybody to blend but we’ll keep the head down, work hard and look for a response on Saturday.”

Indeed, he believes it will take a handful of games before the table will begin to take shape.

“After seven or eight games we will have an idea of where we are going to be in the table and if we are going to be down down the bottom then we are going to be in fight like we were last season. I think though we are better than that,” he added.

The Mallards though struggled defensively on Tuesday and the loss of James McKenna who broke his collarbone on Saturday was acutely felt.

“There is no doubt that we missed McKenna, he is our leader and it had a huge influence on the dressing room when we lost him.

“He would have led by example especially on a night like tonight but unfortunately that’s the way it is and we just have to move on,” said Dykes.

Prior to McKenna’s injury Dykes was already on the hunt for another defensive addition to the squad and his absence now makes a signing all the more critical.

“I’m pleased with Matty Smyth, he has done well but we need another defender and I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to get that sorted before the window closes.”

One positive though for Dykes will have been the form of attacker Ryan Curran who has netted three goals in the opening two games.

“I think we will score goals and Ryan Curran has a few goals now which will be good for his confidence.

“I also thought Josh did well against Glenavon and Niall Brennan did well when he came on but, as I say, it is going to take time,” said Dykes.