Wasteful Saints throw away two more points

After conceding a late goal at Brocton the week before, Saints saw more points slip away at the Triplex Stadium, with the home side riding their luck to equalise in the second minute of added time.

Manager Luke Fogarty was understandably disappointed, saying: “We should have been out of sight well before half-time, but Andy Millan put two chances wide with only goalkeeper Neil Leech to beat.

“Leech then made three good saves before Ross Jackson put us in front and we looked like winning until giving away the free-kick.

“We have to learn not to dive in for tackles in dangerous positions as it has cost us dear for the second week running.”

Millan’s first chance came in only the second minute when, kicking downhill, Saints were awarded a free-kick taken by skipper John Blunsom. The ball was only partially cleared by a defender and it fell to Millan, whose first-time shot went wide.

The Glassmen earned two successive corners, with Charlie Neale, making the starting line-up at right-back, clearing his lines for the first and Quentin Townsend heading out the second.

Leech made his first save of the day, collecting a shot from Tunde Ajibade after Millan had played him in, while at the other end, Nathan Singh was inches away with a near-post shot.

Man-of-the-match Marc Passey raced down the left wing leaving several players in his wake before releasing Richard Robinson, who beat two men before finding Millan in a good position, but again the Saints striker could only place the ball wide after an unfortunate bobble.

The home side almost scored in the 54th minute when the Saints defence was caught napping from a throw-in and, just a minute later, Richard Robinson burst clear and had his shot blocked by the legs of the on-rushing Leech.

Substitute Ross Jackson was introduced in the 69th minute and with virtually his first involvement two minutes later, beat the offside trap and calmly rounded Leech to slot into the empty net.

Robinson came close with a powerful shot and, although the home side pressed for an equaliser, Saints looked comfortable.

Jackson should have clinched the game in the 89th minute, but fluffed an easier chance than the one he had scored and Saints paid the ultimate penalty for their misses when, from a needlessly conceded free-kick on the left, Josh Gunter bundled the ball home in the second minute of added time.

Saints have been drawn at home to Alveston or Continental Star in the quarter-final of the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup, with the tie to be played on Tuesday February 15.

Tomorrrow, they are at home to Bedworth Ex-Servicemen’s Club in the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup (1.45pm).

n Racing Club Warwick, whose game against Dosthill last Saturday was postponed due to a frozen pitch, entertain Midland Combination Premier leaders Heather St John’s tomorrow (3pm).