Manager left scratching his head after Peterborough Sports were denied a deserved victory
Manager Phil Brown was left scratching his head after Peterborough Sports were denied victory in their National League North clash with Curzon Ashton at PIMS Park on Saturday.
The city side were the dominant force in the first-half and deservedly led at the break through a Max Booth finish.
But a rare error from goalkeeper Peter Crook handed the visitors the chance to equalise and the game finished 1-1, although Brown was adamant it should still be seen as a positive outcome.
Sports were four points and two places clear of the relegation zone ahead of a tricky trip to 11th-placed Buxton on Tuesday (see page 75 for the outcome).
“I’m scratching my head about how we didn’t win the game,” Brown said. “We were very good in the first-half and could have been two or three goals ahead. We showed enough quality and we created enough chances.
"But they upped the ante in the second-half and one mistake has cost us two points. I can’t be harsh on ‘Crooky’ though as he has been very consistent for us. It was a rare error.
"I’m left banging my head on the wall after that and after we had a couple decent chances to win it late on as Muzzy Carayol started to show his class with some great crosses.
"But it’s a testament to how far we’ve come that there was depression and disappointment in our dressing room after the game because we ‘only’ drew with Curzon Ashton.
“I will still look at it as a step and a point in the right direction.”
Defender Connor Wood missed the game because of a groin strain.
AWARDS
Brown has been nominated for the National League North manager-of-the-month for January award, while striker Shaquile Coulthirst has been nominated for the player-of-the-month prize.
Sports won three step two games in a row for the first time in almost two years in January, including against former Football League clubs Chester and Macclesfield. Coulthirst scored four times in four games including a hat-trick in the win over Chester.
Brown’s rivals for the award are John Rooney (Macclesfield), Kevin Wilkin (Telford) and Neil Danns (Southport).
Coulthirst’s rivals are David Davis (Kidderminster), former Posh winger Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Macclesfield) and Remi Walker (Telford).
Former Posh star Aaron Mclean is one of the judges.