Despite the loss, Hornets’ boss Darren Abram is remaining upbeat.

He said: “We’re staying positive. The players highlighted certain things they thought they’d fallen down on and they were the same things I’d highlighted, so we know where we need to be.

“We’ve played Swinton twice already this year and they’re very tough and physical. They’ll be coming here looking to turn us over, so we’ll have to be ready.”

Andy Saywell (hamstring) is still another week away from returning to action for the Lions.

Swinton boss Paul Kidd said: “There’s a lot of improvement still to come but we’ve still won two from three of our Co-operative National League games so far.

“This game, back in the Northern Rail Cup, is on that we’re looking forward to. All the pressure is on them. They’re a Co-operative National League One side and they’ve already beaten us twice – we’re just looking forward to the challenge.”