Richards' strike in vain at Frickley

Two goals in three minutes from Gavin Allott condemned us to a fourth consecutive Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division away defeat, going down 2-1 at Frickley Athletic last night.

Things were going well for the Robins when Matt Richards (pictured) put us into a lead five minutes from the break, which we then held until half-time.

But soon after the hour mark, the 212 spectators saw Allot first square things up and then net what proved to be the winner.

That meant more frustration for Kevin Wilson and his players, who saw their hosts move level on points with them, albeit we retain a better goal difference.

“It was the story of our season again at Frickley - we have to be better in both boxes. We hit the bar twice, the post twice and had a number of other chances and then we were punished at the other end when we were defensively not strong enough,” he said.

“I don’t think Frickley could have had cause for complaint if we had gone in 3-0 or 4-0 up at half-time, but our finishing wasn’t there and then we were done by the sucker punch.

“I don’t think there’s any lack of effort or application, but there’s no doubt that we have been missing some of our more experienced players like Russell Cooke and Gary Ricketts.

“People will start questioning if we have a good enough squad for this level - I still think we do. But unless we start to get things right in those fine margins, then there might have to be one or two changes in personnel.”

The players have an ideal game to attempt to get back on track on Saturday when we host Derbyshire neighbours Belper Town in an eagerly-awaited FA Cup second qualifying round tie at the New Manor Ground.

Wilson added: “It’s just the finer details that are preventing us from getting going. Every game we have lost has been by one goal.

“I don’t think the lads will need lifting for the weekend because we had a chat after the game and it was all very positive and upbeat.

“We do need to start finding some results, though, because I know that four points from our first eight games is not good enough.”