Away draws not to be sniffed at

GERRY TAGGART TALKING...
WE were the architects of our own downfall at Carlisle and, despite ending the game with a 3-3 draw, it felt like a defeat.

It was a classic example of a game of two halves. We played some great stuff in the first period but conceded right at the end of it from a corner.

It is fair to say we would probably have gone on to win the match had we not let that one in.

We were slow out of the traps after the break and Carlisle scored almost straight away, which was followed by the loss of James Wesolowski due to a knee injury.

It looked as though we would weather the storm, but we only have ourselves to blame for conceding the equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Talk about goals going in at crucial times — either side of the interval and right at the end.

Some people said we produced our best football of the season in the first half — I disagree, because the way we performed in the second period at Exeter was even better.

However, Shefki Kuqi’s second goal was definitely one of our finest moves this term.

But when all is said and done there is no point in doing the business for 44 minutes. That does not win football matches.

The positive I suppose is that we picked up two away points, at Preston and Carlisle respectively.

Before that we had not drawn a game and had only been consistent in our inconsistency.

I am delighted tomorrow’s opponents Bury are in npower League One as it provides us with another local derby.

It gives Boundary Park a lift, and the players feel the same way — ask any of them if they would like a home game against a team from the South who hardly bring any fans or against Bury, Rochdale, Preston, Tranmere etc and they would all choose a local side.

Fingers crossed, the Shakers bring a lot of supporters and help to make it a good atmosphere.

Hopefully, James recovers in time because he has been in great form. He is a positive player, who is a credit to himself and the football club.

Impact injuries are killing us at the moment. When the likes of James, Bradley Diallo, Josh Parker and Reuben Reid return we will have a lot of options.