First team manager Neil Cox provided his reaction to iFollow Iron after United were edged out 2-0 by League One side Lincoln City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.
The Imps, who reached the play-off final in their division last season, took the lead early on through Conor McGrandles' close range effort before doubling it after the break with a Cohen Bramall free kick.
Cox said: "I think we played against a really good Lincoln side, who looked fresher and sharper than us, but we were poor on the night. They closed us down and made us play long balls, which we don't want to do, and they made us give it away, although we did create a couple of chances on the night and got in some good areas. Our final pass was difficult.
"We had a couple of lads go off injured. Ross (Millen) has felt his hamstring a little bit after being pushed into a fence in the first minute, so that's not good, while Harry (Davis) slipped and banged his head and didn't feel too good, so we had to bring him off. Pughy (Tom Pugh) had to play a full game but I thought he did really well against two attacking players on that side.
"I wanted to see a reaction. A lot of times when we conceded in games last season we didn't react, and that has to change this year. We still had 90 minutes to get a goal back and into the game. We were unlucky in front of goal as one shot was going in but hit Lofty, and then Tyrone had a great chance and their goalkeeper made a save.
"Lincoln are ultra positive in possession and work their socks off out of possession, and that's how we have to be, but it's more minutes in the legs against a good side and our stats are right through the roof tonight."
See much more from Neil Cox on iFollow Iron.