STEVE Cuggy admits a draw at Bishop’s Stortford felt more like defeat, after Blyth Spartans conceded a last-minute equaliser to be denied two vital points.
In a game billed as a relegation six-pointer between the teams bottom and third-bottom of Blue Square Bet North, the Croft Park club dominated long spells of proceedings.
Yet they trailed to goals from Reece Qrestedge – following up a Dwight Dale penalty saved by Robert Birdsall – and David Adepipe before launching an incredible fightback through Neal Hooks, Glen Taylor and Lee Mason.
Alas, a late, late header by Qrestedge ensured a draw.
But impressed again by his side’s spirit and character, Cuggy believes there were enough positives to be encouraged by.
But he has warned Blyth they must start converting draws into wins.
“Well we feel like we’ve lost but that’s just the nature of things, this is what football’s like, ” Cuggy said.
“But there’s a lot of encouragement from it as well.
“I would give up if I thought we didn’t have any character in the team and they’ve proven it again. A disgraceful penalty decision went against us right on half-time when we had completely dominated the game and had a big shout for a penalty ourselves, when Jamie Mole was brought down clean through.
“The referee just waved that away because he probably would have had to have sent the lad off as well.
“That was obviously a body blow, and then to go two down against the run of play made it difficult.
“But we kept going and scored three cracking goals. They were really well worked. Lee Mason scored a wonder-strike, Glen Taylor made a goal out of nothing and Neal Hooks has scored a cracking goal.
“So there are plenty of positives, we’ve just got to turn the draws into wins now.”
And Cuggy added: “I’m not making any excuses, it’s not a hard-luck story at all.
“Bishop’s Stortford have looked at us as an easy three points, but gone away really, really happy to get a point, and fortunate to get one.
“So we’ll see who’s in a higher position come the end of the season.”
BISHOP’S STORTFORD: Archer, Lettejallow, Anderson, Shulton, Jeffries, Francis, Adepipe, Prestedge, Gayle, Subuola, Dadson. Subs (not used): Jones, Dunbar, Gaisie, Hahn, Abdullahi.
Goals: Prestedge 44, Adepipe 54, Prestedge 90.
BLYTH SPARTANS: Birdsall, Slaughter, Cave, Groves, Greg Pearson, Buchanan, Emms, Hooks, Armstrong, Mole, Phillips. Subs (not used): Taylor, Mason, Briggs, Jones, Hunter.
Goals: Hooks 59, Taylor 69, Mason 78.
Attendance: 297
