Nick Spooner spoke after the 1-1 home draw at home to Whitby Town

”A very frustrating afternoon. The bookies must love us yet another draw! I thought the first half was a disgrace. We just weren’t at the races, and I must apologise to the fans for that.

I’ve never known us to have that many players off the pace. We just didn’t create anything, We did have two chances and should have taken them, but they could have had three or four goals. So, yes, it was a shocking first half and yes, we got in behind them and missed two one-on-ones with the keeper. Those chances probably would have settled the game because they’re fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league. If we’d scored, their heads would have gone down, and they would have had to come out more, which I think would have played into our hands. But fair play to them—they gave us a scare in the first half.

On getting a response in the second half

The second half was much better. We controlled the game and limited their chances, I can’t even remember our keeper making a save in the second half. Their keeper, on the other hand, made a couple of good saves.

We got crosses into the box, and we had headers at the far post. With a bit more quality, we should have won the game.

On keeping an unchanged starting line up

We had won our last two games, one-nil at Hebburn and one-nil at home, I thought those were good performances.

It’s always difficult when you’re not starting with Redshaw because you want to get him in, but I wanted to be loyal to the players.

Unfortunately, after that first 45 minutes, loyalty goes out of the window so if you’re not working hard and not playing well, you won’t stay on the pitch. Redshaw was desperate to come on, and he did his bit when he got the chance.

After the goal we huffed and puffed. To be fair to them, they went for the win as well because they knew how important three points were.

That left gaps in midfield, which I think we started to exploit. We looked more dangerous on the counterattack but we lacked that final bit of quality. We could have picked out the final pass, but we rushed it and that’s been the story of our season.

We’ve played good football but haven’t been clinical in the final third, and that’s cost us.

Overall, I’m disappointed with the first half but pleased with the reaction in the second half. However, we needed three points at home.

I’m not writing off the league, today could have put us right in the mix. If you look at the fixtures, we’ve got to go to Stockton, and they’ve got a lot of tough games ahead.

We’ve been in that position before where teams are chasing you, and it can get nervy.

We can play with a bit of freedom now, but today was a missed opportunity to put some pressure on. That said, we’re unbeaten in three or four games now, so we’ll keep going and hopefully pick up some results in the cup as well.

On some decisions by the officials

I don’t want to comment on the referee. He’ll have a long meeting with the assessor today, and hopefully, they’ll have a good discussion about what went on.

When both managers are shaking hands and laughing at the decisions, I think that tells you everything you need to know.

On the chance to reach a final on Tuesday

Yes it’s a brilliant opportunity, That’s why I’m so disappointed today, I wanted us to be fighting on three fronts.

This was our game in hand, and we’ve wasted it!  We’re already in the Manchester Cup final, and now we’ll be going all out for the Cheshire Cup as well. There’s still so much to look forward to.

Brad Cooke has gone in at Runcorn and done a good job, so I’m expecting a tough game over there.