CARL Douglas wants his Dudley Kingswinford players to build on what he described as their best all-round performance since he took charge.

Despite last weekend's 34-32 away defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Longton, the director of rugby at Heathbrook thinks there are now plenty of signs of the progress being made.

DK suffered late heartache once again when Longton snatched a winning try in the closing minutes following a hard-fought contest.

He said: "The defeat was hard to take but it was our best all-round performance to date.

"It think it is a significant step forwards for us and the players feel that as well. The forwards played really well and it was only individual missed tackles that cost us.

"The players are fully aware of what they need to put right but also realise it was a very big step for us as a team."

DK will now welcome second-placed Nuneaton this Saturday (2.15pm kick off).

Douglas added: "We now have a period where will will come up against the top sides in this league. It will be a big ask but we have to make sure we keep progressing.

"We will have to play even better against Nuneaton but I'm confident we can keep moving forwards.

"We need to put last week behind us and focus on being more consistent."

Douglas said he is still looking to strengthen his squad following the recent arrival of former Stourbridge man Jamie Hearn and South African Edlyn Serge.

He said the club's CASC status (Community Amateur Sports Club), which means they can't pay a wage to players, has not affected his efforts to attracted new additions.

"It is about selling the feel of the club and what we are trying to build here. We don't pay Jamie Hearn to play for us but have been able to bring him in," he added.

"I am still looking for the right players that can improve us as a side."