KENDAL Town manager David Foster was pleased to see a positive response from his squad as the Mintcakes followed up a 5-2 opening-day drubbing with a 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Atherton Collieries.

Just two days separated the fixtures, but speaking on Tuesday morning after the shutout in Greater Manchester, Foster described the two performances as 'chalk and cheese'.

The Mintcakes showed plenty of commitment and worked hard against a well organised Atherton side, but the hosts created their first opportunity early on when Jordan Cover's shot from outside the penalty area was parried away for a corner by Will Kitchen.

Kendal were denied by some last ditch defending by Danny Lafferty, as the half time ended all square.

The second half was relatively drab, with Atherton's Brad Cooke volleying over from an inswinging delivery by Iain Howard, while Cover had a goal ruled out for offside.

Kendal were well organised and defended will against a difficult opponent as the game ended 0-0.

"We were disappointed on Saturday, we were off the pace while Mossley were brighter and more direct," said Foster.

"Last night we got the response I fully expected. All the basics that were missing were put right last night.

"Atherton had just had an impressive 2-0 win at Colne who were in the play offs last year – I don't think there'll be many teams that go there and get too much. They're hard working and high in confidence.

"We've got half a new squad so it takes time to settle, but that was the perfect response."

The night was, however, marred by an injury to captain Stuart McDonald who left the pitch with a suspected pulled hamstring. New signing Connor Gaul was absent last night following a knock picked up in the Mossley fixture, but Foster expects him to return quicker than the Mintcakes skipper.

Kendal start their FA Cup campaign this weekend with a preliminary round tie away at Harrogate Railway.

"They will be well up for it," said Foster. "We're a bigger team in a higher division and will be desperate to turn us over, so we will have to play like we did on Monday rather than Saturday."