Dave Challinor believes his Stockport County side will not be tested in the National League as much as they were against Bolton Wanderers in their FA Cup first round clash and hailed his players for their 'massive effort' in the draw.
League One Wanderers hosted the National League side at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Backed by some 5,000 away supporters, the visitors took a shock lead when Scott Quigley put them in front, but Wanderers rallied and got back on level terms when Eoin Doyle equalised and then went ahead thanks to Elias Kachunga.
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But County equalised in first half stoppage time when Ben Whitfield slotted home in a 2-2 draw, with the tie being taken to a replay at Edgeley Park and the game likely to be played on Tuesday, November 16.
The match was Challinor's first game in charge of the Hatters after joining the club from League Two side Hartlepool United.
And the new Hatters boss was pleased what he saw from his side against Wanderers, as he felt his side improved after the break, and hailed the big following which travelled to the UniBol to back his side.
Challinor said: "We are never going to be tested as severely as we were today in our own league – but we will evolve in terms of what we are asking the players to do.
"We were a little bit better in the second half but we need defenders to get on the ball and have that extra bit of control. I didn’t feel like we had much there in the first half.
“After half time we were better in terms of our shape and not turning the ball over as quickly. It is a work in progress.
“It was a massive effort from the players. It was never going to be about what I could see tactically from the players but more about whether they had what was required to help us in the league and they had that in spades.
“And if you have got a fanbase that turn up in numbers to support their team you have to use that as a positive, to help you. We have to keep them in the game as best we can.
“There were stages of the game where we had to be resolute, we had to defend. And for the fans to almost reinforce that they are with the players is massive.
“It has been a whirlwind few days – I have never been in bed as early in my whole life.
“It has been a quick turnaround. Football is that.
“But the welcome I have had at the training ground has been brilliant."
