ROCHDALE AFC boss Keith Hill says he was "encouraged" by his team’s start to the League Two season.

Dale travelled to Grimsby on Saturday and came back with a 0-0 draw, although they could have won the game.

"It was a good performance and I was encouraged by it," said Hill.

"It was just our finishing touches that let us down a bit, because our passages of play were very good. We just need to be a bit more ruthless.

"Clean sheets bring success, and we importantly kept one."

Hill added. "We had the lion’s share of the game and on another day we’d have beaten them.

"I felt we could have been more clinical in front of goal.

"The performance merited more, and on chances created and in terms of pressure, we should have won the game.

"We did most of the foraging, and the majority of the contest was played in the Grimsby half.

"But we've got a point on the board and it's a healthy start for us, especially away from home.

Potential signing Mark Jones was with the Dale camp on Saturday to watch the Grimsby match, and Hill said the club is in talks with his agent.

Jones is currently training with the Dale squad.