LEE Spalding has underlined his confidence in his Swindon Supermarine squad but called on his players to show more bravery as they take their baby steps in Southern League Premier Division South.

Marine's new campaign at the higher level got off to a disappointing start when they were edged out 1-0 at the Webbswood Stadium by Tiverton Town on Saturday.

Spalding's side have an immediate chance to right the ship this evening, but the manager admits a Tuesday night trip to Merthyr Town (7.45pm) is hardly a soft touch either as they come to terms with a higher calibre of opponent.

The manager believes Saturday's decisive goal laid bare the need to eliminate mistakes, but insists his men must also grasp the nettle when they are in possession of the ball.

"We've got good players all around the pitch and it's important that everyone wants the ball,'' said Spalding.

"When you are playing the sides that are very good at shutting you down and making the areas small, you still can play but you have got to be brave in possession and make space to get yourself on the ball.

"I just felt in the second half (against Tiverton) especially, we didn't do that enough if I'm honest.

"For long spells of the game we showed lots of positives. There were times where we had total control of the game and I think we deserved to get something out of the game. It's a case of individuals learning quickly and game management is going to be important.

"It is the sort of thing we're going to be up against. Forward players are going to be very much more switched on, quicker and alive and any errors that we make, we'll be punished for it.

"We just have to make sure we learn very quickly from our mistakes, we don't make them and we make it hard for teams to score against us.

"That's got to be our main objective - that we're as mean as we can be every week and we don't give teams goals because if we do, we'll get punished.''

Merthyr finished in lower mid-table in last season's Southern Premier and Spalding added: "It (tonight's match) gives you a chance to put right what went wrong but we're under no illusions. They (Merthyr) are a very strong outfit, especially at home where they have got the 3G pitch.

"They play it very well and they have got some very good players.

"We are going to need to go there, be very organised and hard to beat and look to hit them on the counter.''