Almost a barren return from two very important home games in three days as Town lose to play-off hopefuls Dunston in added-on time and draw with Sheffield FC as three are sent off and three are cautioned in that game!
In the Dunston game Town took time to settled against a more experienced and physical side and survived one penalty appeal before Aiden Walker gave away a penalty in the 43rd minute which was converted by Dale Pearson.
Town substituted Cole Roberts with Javelle Clarke at half-time and he had his best game in weeks, and, along with Mo Qasim, they brought Town back into the game down the flanks. They also had to make another substitution in the 50th minute when consistent performer Mohammed Ibrahim was helped off the pitch with ankle ligament damage.
Town equalised in the 79th minute when substitute Reon Benjamin-Potts at the second attempt buried the ball in the back of the net. His first shot was parried out by by goalkeeper Dan Staples, but the striker picked his spot for the second strike.
In the 82nd minute Dunston had winger William Jenkins sent off and Town’s faithful got behind the team to go for the winner.
However, it was from a free kick three minutes into added on time that Dunston took the three points with a header flicked on that beat keeper Brett Souter and saw the home crowd leave disappointed once more after seeing a valuable point lost from the same situation and at the same time as in the previous game against Bridlington Town.
Town must learn game management, and quickly.
On the Monday, Town were off to a great start when referee Arran Williams showed a red card to Sheffield’s centre-half Joshua Burns after just five minutes for bringing down Jack Boyle in the box..
Reon Benjamin-Potts stepped up and beat former Town keeper Ed Hall with a strong shot to his right.
Fellow Sheffield central defender Reece Fielding left the pitch a minute later on crutches and was replaced by Rory Coleman.
In the 25th minute the normally reliable Boyle had a great chance to put Town two up with only Hall to beat but he screwed his attempt from 12 yards out wide of the target. Sheffield lifted their game despite being a man down but had a further setback in the 32nd minute when their skipper Adam Watson had also to leave the field aided by the physio.
Luke Aldrich replaced him and was on the scoresheet 10 minutes later to level matters a minute before the interval with a smart finish from an acute angle..
Town failed to get the ball wide to make their one man advantage count, the stand side of the pitch virtually ignored as they came down the dug-out side time and again.
Disaster then struck as Town had two players sent off in a minute. First Aiden Walker went after allegedly pulling a Sheffield shirt on the edge of the box and then skipper Tom Haigh was sent off for an alleged elbow in a tackle.
Town, who managed to hold out for a 1-1 draw, also had Corey Gregory, Javelle Clarke and Mo Qasim also cautioned.
Town’s manager Vill Powell was looking at footage of the game on Tuesday to see if there was any leeway on the dismissals for an appeal on them.
Town now need valuable points in their last eight games to pull away from the relegation area after a poor run of results since the turn of the
year. Weather permitting they make a return trip to Shildon on Saturday (3pm) after the original fixture in late January was called off after they had made the journey to Durham. A coach leaves the Dusty Miller at 11am.
Striker Laurence Sorhaindo (right knee) has revealed he is very unlikely to play again this season and has been out injured since the West Riding County FA third round tie with Campion.
With possible suspensions and injuries the manager is now looking to strengthen his squad before the 5pm deadline on Thursday, March 23 for all signings for this season.
