Nichols on target to head off the gaffer
JOHN YEMS missed Crawley Town’s winner by Tom Nichols, but was delighted by his side’s win at high-flying Tranmere Rovers.
Nichols backheeled his 13th goal of the season to avoid a rollicking for his team-mates from their vocal boss.
“I didn’t see it,” said confirmed
Yems. “All I saw was us passing it. I was getting annoyed and about to shout and lose my rag again.
“We had turned down two or three shots and actually I think we had better chances before that.
“I get accused of saying it, but there are no easy games. You have got to come to these places and work hard.
“If you look at where we are and where we could have been, we have got to be a little smug.”
Yems’ side were good value for completing a league double over Tranmere, who were beaten 4-0 in Sussex last October when Nichols was also on the scoresheet.
Jake Hessenthaler hit the crossbar when he had a chance to make it
2-0 after Rovers captain Scott Davies produced a wonder save to keep out Joe McNerney’s volley.
Keith Hill’s Papa John’s Trophy finalists were chasing a fourth straight win, but instead suffered only a second defeat in 15 games in all competitions.
Former England international Dave Nugent missed from six yards after Glenn Morris couldn’t hold Kaiyne Woolery’s shot in the early stages.
Veteran Morris denied Nya Kirby’s long-range effort but Tranmere, again missing striker James Vaughan with a knee injury, rarely threatened to salvage a point.
Hill refused to be too downhearted after the automatic promotion set-back.
“I don’t judge where teams are in the league,” he said of Crawley’s unexpected win. “I think you are a fool if you do.
“Some of the bigger teams in the Premier League lose to teams in the bottom three.
“You would suggest on paper with the size of the clubs it shouldn’t happen, but it does. You should never underestimate any opponent or guess how good they are because of their league position.
“We have got beaten, but we have not failed. And there is a big difference. There is no failure.”