Pinchbeck boss Ian Dunn was left to lament a day to forget after seeing his side lose a two-goal lead at Sawtry in Saturday’s Peterborough League Premier Division clash.
Despite a below-par display from his under-strength side, Dunn’s charges were two goals to the good with 30 minutes remaining.
However, a much-improved Sawtry side refused to throw in the towel and hit back with a double strike to gain a share of the spoils.
Dunn commented: “Nothing went right for us, but it was a poor all-round performance.
“We were not playing well even though we went 2-0 up. The lads worked hard, but we weren’t clever enough. We gave the ball away in silly areas and our passing was poor when we had possession. I never felt confident.
“They were a lot better than last year though. They have got some new lads in and they were a big, strong side who deserve full credit for keeping going.”
Pinchbeck had made the long trip with just 13 players due to holidays, weddings and work commitments.
They lost Ryan Leggett through injury in the opening period and then Ollie Maltby, who had been struggling with a knock throughout, was also forced off.
Dunn added: “I had to use both substitutes for injuries rather than tactical reasons which forced us to change our system.
“We were missing the likes of Liam Ogden, Jack Smith, Chris Shipley and Fabio Ramos who are all big players for us.
“I always hate August because it brings so many availability issues.
“We just have to do our best to come through it unscathed and, if we can do that, I’ll be buzzing.”
After a goalless first half, Pinchbeck took the lead five minutes into the second period when Ash Murrell headed home following a free-kick.
Brad Murrell doubled Pinchbeck’s advantage seven minutes later from a free-kick, but Sawtry halved the deficit just past the hour mark when poor marking from a corner was punished.
Just as it looked like Pinchbeck had done enough to earn the victory, Sawtry struck when they broke the visitors’ offside trap to net a late leveller.
Dunn added: “I was disappointed because it felt like a loss, but at least we came away with a point.”
