Nathan Haslam was understandably frustrated and disappointed after two late goals sent Whitley to another narrow defeat in a closely contested game at high flying Shildon.
“It’s really hard to take, decisions have gone against us really. For their first goal the guy was offside and it’s changed the game. Then they had the wind in their sails and they pushed us a little bit but even at one all you want to see it out and get a point, it’s a good point here. But there was a mix up at the back and it’s the story of our season that one.”
Asked if he had any complaints about the penalty decision he added “I don’t think so really. If you’re in that area you always give the ref a decision to make and it’s gone against us. After the way we’d played for over an hour, I’d have liked our full backs to have communicated a bit better. It could have been dealt with if there’d been better communication.
“In the first half against the wind Shildon were the better team, their movement off the ball was really good, they looked a lot brighter and fitter than us but we contained them. They didn’t really do anything with the ball, barring a mistake that we made.
“Our goal came from a simple ball in from Callum that he put in the danger area. It ricocheted and fell nicely for us but Coleby still had a lot to do and he took it really well, so then we’ve got something to hold on to.
“You’re thinking that in the second half, against the wind, there’s going to be an onslaught. But we were better second half and they were getting frustrated. We defended well. We always had the chance on the break and I thought we were doing really well. But it was a quick free kick from them when with experience I would have liked us to stand on the ball. That’s the first thing, then obviously the goal which was offside has gone against us. So it’s one of them, it’s football. For Shildon you take it, for us it’s a hard luck story.
“It’s just more disappointment really. In the second half we played well but didn’t get what we deserved from the game at all. The lads have done well, Colquhoun’s come on and done what I like him to do, so it gives me food for thought for next week, but this is a young group of players. Lowery’s done brilliant today. It’s fine lines when we do lose, it’s by a solitary goal and today was one of those days unfortunately.”
