On-loan Crystal Palace striker Derek Tieku’s made his Hayes & Yeading debut at the weekend and his performance was the one highlight for Phil Babb in an otherwise disappointing 3-1 defeat to Concord Rangers.

The young Ghanaian striker joined United at the end of December on a short-term loan from the Barclays Premier League side but a series of postponements meant he was unable to make his bow until Saturday.

He originally came through the youth ranks at Fulham before switching to Selhurst Park last summer and his first game in senior men’s football was pleasing for Babb as he looked for the positives after a third straight loss.

“He’s a good player,” Babb said. “We wouldn’t have brought him in if we didn’t think he could have an impact. That was his first senior men’s game and he performed admirably when there were quite a few lads playing under-par. He was a highlight.”

Two goals from Concord skipper Tony Stokes and one from James White inflicted the defeat on Babb’s side, with the former Liverpool player demanding a vastly improved showing at home to Farnborough this weekend.

“The performance of the team wasn’t up to the standard we require at the club,” Babb added. “It’s also difficult to get the lads firing on all cylinders again after you’ve had a lengthy lay-off and that proved to be the case.”