JOHN Sheridan described Oldham Athletic's opening day goalless draw at Torquay United as "a good shift".

But the manager was disappointed to end the game with 10 men following summer signing Dan Gardner's 73rd minute dismissal for two bookable offences.

Latics were backed by over 800 travelling supporters for their National League opener in Devon - a 540-mile door-to-door round trip from Boundary Park to Plainmoor.

And Sheridan feels they will be encouraged by a performance from a side which included eight of their 11 summer signings in the starting line-up, with central defender Liam Hogan named as captain.

"If I'm being honest we've had the better chances in the game, we should have possibly won the game," said the Latics boss.

"Where we've got to do better is hit the target. There's probably five or six occasions where we've got to work the keeper.

"But we've defended really well. When we've had to defend we've defended. I'd like us to believe in ourselves on the ball and pass it better. We had good opportunities to make that killer pass and it's getting intercepted where it shouldn't. But it was a good shift."

Torquay were denied by the woodwork after just four minutes, but Latics recovered from the early test and responded with a good chance for Hallam Hope, who should have done better in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Ben Tollitt and the returning Chris Porter both had opportunities in the second half, and Mike Fondop made an impact from the bench before Gardner was dismissed after a trip on Dean Moxey led to his second yellow card of the afternoon.

"Obviously I'm disappointed with the sending off," said Sheridan.

"Dan shouldn't be sent off in that situation after being booked. I didn't actually see the tackle but I think it's lazy minds and he shouldn't be getting sent off because it's affected us obviously.

"But even when we went down to 10 men we actually had a go at trying to win the game and we were unfortunate with the chances we had."

Of the 800-plus travelling fans, Sheridan added: "Great support, brilliant support, and I think they appreciate the way the lads went about the game.

"We would have liked to have won the game but it's a long trip and we're taking something home."