FINE margins decide rugby these days. Had this result been reversed Lydney's league position would be four places higher. It's that tight.

Having to settle for a losing bonus point at least keeps them in touch with the tail-enders. And there is plenty of evidence better times are just around the corner for Duncan Bell's team.

Hampered by injuries – and picking up a further one after centre Chris Holder hurt a shoulder in the first-half – Lydney's back-line has been unsettled and miss-fires.

But this was perhaps the best performance by the pack this season. If they resolve their scrummaging issues then Bell has options in the back five and, probably, a pack to match any in the league.

But, says team manager Colin Henderson, much will be down to maintaining impetus.

He says: "Duncan Bell is seeking consistency. He wants the team to play at a high tempo and believes he is getting there. I thought we were a shade unlucky to lose on Saturday, especially after building up a 15 point advantage.That said, we contributed to our own downfall by making mistakes."

In a gritty and much improved performance from that at Clifton, Lydney were well served by the back-row of Tyas, Jones and Taylor. Charlie Daniell was excellent and, as ever, Ben Lewis impressed.

In the backs, Tony Wicks was inventive and particularly dangerous in broken play while scrum-half Jason Graham passed with speed and precision.

Lydney will need to up the pace yet another notch when they visit Taunton this Saturday and Henderson is hoping for a good response from supporters.

"Despite the results there is a good and growing team spirit and they really appreciate the backing from the crowd," he said.

Lydney's try scorers were: Dan Allison, Charlie Daniell and Duncan Bell. Tony Wicks made two conversions and kicked a penalty.