Ian McParland cut a disappointed figure after seeing his side beaten 3-1 at Chesterfield this afternoon, but was keen to focus on the positives from the defeat at Salergate.

The defeat was the Magpies' second of the season so far, and he admitted afterwards the biggest disappointment was a poor first-half display.

He however praised the second-half display by his side.

McParland said: "I'm disappointed we lost the game, so naturally I am not very happy at the moment and I was not very happy with the first forty-five minutes at all.

"In the second half we had a bit more energy about us and we pushed forwards chasing the game. I thought we were excellent in that second half, and the only thing I would hold against us were the goals on the break.

"We got a quick goal back which gave us a chance, but we got done on the sucker punch with all the goals."

Michael Johnson had to go off at the break still suffering from the two injury that ruled him out of the Macclesfield and Gillingham draws - and McParland admitted his side was fairly patched up.

"We were a patched-up team really, especially at the back," he said.

"We've got a few injuries and Michael Johnson only played because of an injection in his foot.

"We were desperate for him to play, but sadly he couldn't carry on and he had to come off."

McParland's side have a quick opportunity to bounce back from the defeat with a home game on Tuesday against Rochdale.

Despite conceding three goals for the first time in the League this season he was more determined to focus on the positive aspects from the game.

"Conceding three goals is naturally a big disappointment, but I'm more concerned on focusing on the positives," he said.

"If we can take them into Tuesday's game at home to Rochdale we'll have a good chance.

"Rochdale are a good team who had a good result today, and they will be up near the top come the end of the season."