Counting cost of latest late leveller
SALFORD away was one of those tricky fixtures that could have gone either way.
For us, sitting in sixth place, the win could have had a huge influence on our season.
For the Ammies it would have cemented their second place.
As it was, a draw keeps both our hopes alive without really giving either side any advantage.
I think, before kick off, a draw would have been acceptable and given that we took two points away from a fellow play-off contender should be seen as a positive.
But as so often a late equaliser feels like a defeat.
These late goals are happening far too often.
I’ve spoken about my fear that these late goals could cost us dear at the end of April, a ridiculous own goal against Gloucester, an injury time equaliser at Alfreton and the penalty at Moor Lane have cost us six points.
Do the maths and look at the league table and it’s easy to see where we could be right now.
At kick off on Saturday a few things were blindingly obvious. Number 1, there were at least 200 empty seats in the new stand, seats that could have accommodated County supporters.
Number 2, the so called ground improvements are ridiculous at this time of the season and number 3, The number of Greater Manchester finest constabulary was ridiculous.
I have no idea what they were doing unless it was protecting Gary Neville from the “Stockport hoards”. They certainly weren’t there to help with the traffic congestion after the game!
The game itself was entertaining enough, we took the lead after a great through ball from Jimmy Ball right into the path of Danny Lloyd who outpaced the defence and shot into the far post, the County faithful, as you’d expect, went crazy.
The Ammies came back and had three great chances to score before half time.
Kaine Felix came on for the ineffectual Amis and immediately caused the home defence to worry. He had two great chances to double our lead but both times, having burst through the home defence, he chose to take an extra touch rather than the early shot and ran into trouble.
A second goal would have settled it but Salford, aided by the referee, won a penalty, scored it and the game ended a draw. It could have been worse but it could have been better, much better.