LYME Regis manager Mark Bailey was happy with the performance from his side as he tasted managing a first-team game for the first time since taking over Robin Townsend on February 26.

Bailey, who also plays for the side, had faced a series of postponements which delayed his first game by three weeks, which ended with the 2-2 draw away to Chard Town Reserves in Division One of the Devon & Exeter League.

Bailey said: “I enjoyed it, the atmosphere was really good. The lads were very relaxed and they tried to play football the right way which is the main thing.”

Fred Parsons scored two goals in each half to firstly give Lyme the lead following an excellent team move and then earn a point for them after they went 2-1 down.

When asked if there was much difficulty in combining his on-pitch role with his managerial role, Bailey said: “Not as much as I expected actually no, obviously Rob Thom was on the sideline anyway so we discussed any substitutions when the ball was dead. We had a chat about what we thought we were going to do anyway it did not really interfere too much.”

Asked whether it works in his favour both having someone on the pitch and on the sidelines, Bailey said: “You get a good feel for the game as you have someone in the match and someone on the side.”

n Lyme’s last match with Wellington was called off, but the Seasiders will hope to return when hosting Perry Street & Yonder Hill on Saturday (3pm).