First-half lethargy left us dead and Buryed

WE WEREN'T at the races in the first half against Bury — and it probably cost us the match.

Our passing game just didn't get going. It was a scrap. I thought at the time ‘let's just get in at half-time and regroup from there.’

But then we conceded an unfortunate own goal and it left us with an uphill struggle.

Coming out after the interval, we had a much better workrate and operated at a higher tempo.

We still weren’t as slick in possession as we have been - but on another day we may have got something out of the game. The penalty that wasn't given our way for a foul on Dean Furman was absolutely blatant. Standing right next to the incident, I couldn't believe we didn't get it.

Then Bury went right up to the other end and got a spot-kick themselves, to rub salt in the wound.

So though we didn't play as well as we can, by conceding the own goal and penalty we were masters of our own downfall.

It was extremely disappointing, not least because of the way it all unfolded in front of our own supporters. We owe them a couple of decent performances.

On Saturday at Kidderminster we had produced a really strong, professional performance that was exactly what was required. If we had gone out against Bury and done the basics well, winning our individual battles as we did at Aggborough, we would have won Tuesday’s game.

Amid the disappointment of losing it was good to get off the goal scoring mark. I am still loving the new role in midfield. Now I want to kick on and become more involved in creating things. Hopefully, I will be able to start expressing myself. And maybe there will be more goals to come.