Clarke is delighted by change in atmosphere at Racing Club Warwick

Tuesday night’s 2-1 home reverse to Nuneaton Griff followed on from defeat by the same scoreline at Bolehall Swifts on Saturday, but having received praise from both winning managers, Clarke remains in upbeat mood.

“There’s been a total change in the dressing room in the past seven days and there’s a different atmosphere around the club,” said Clarke.

“After both matches, their managers came into our dressing room and said we didn’t deserve to lose.

“We’ve played two of the top sides and for them to say that shows we’re going in the right direction.

“We’re not losing by four or five and we’re more competitive and tighter.

“We just need to put our chances away.”

Ben Purser scored the goal at Bolehall while Leighton Symonds’ first-half strike against Nuneaton Griff looked like earning Racers at least a point in a match the hosts dominated.

However, Mitchell Thomson levelled with a fine goal before Ryan Millerchip clinched all three points for the visitors with an 88th-minute penalty.

While frustrated by the last concession, Clarke said it was something his young side would quickly learn from.

He said: “We’d have taken a point and all of a sudden we give away a penalty - it kills off all the hard work.

“I was pleased with the application and competitiveness, but you’ve got to remember we’ve got young players who are inexperienced.

“They need to make the right decisions at the right times - whether to hoof it clear or just play the simple five-yard pass - but that will come.”

Clarke is hoping to bolster his side for the trip to Dunlop tomorrow (1.45pm) in the Coventry Charity Cup with the return of the experienced Stuart Herlihy.

Former Leamington midfielder Herlihy has been missing since the opening weeks of the season due to injury.