Danny Clifton fears a voodoo spell has been laid on his Holbeach United team.
Once again they were tripped up, just as it looked as if they would be able to secure a place in the play-off places in Division One North of the Thurlow Nunn League.
Instead, a 2-0 defeat at mid-table Haverhill Rovers leaves the Tigers two points adrift, albeit with a game in hand.
Worryingly, it was another away defeat to a lower-placed team and manager Clifton is concerned his team’s poor record on their travels will prove costly come the season’s end.
“Every time we get near to the play-off spots, we lose and whenever we have managed to get into the top five, it’s only lasted a day or so.
“At home we’re very strong but just can’t get it together away. We need to improve that record because we’ve lost to some of the poorer teams and have much tougher ones still to come.”
Holbeach have won ten and lost only one of their 13 home games so far, but have only three wins and a draw to show from 12 away trips.
“The good thing is we’re still right there in the hunt so we know it’s still in our hands,” added Clifton.
A tight game was decided with goals just before half-time and 12 minutes before the end.
“We played well but not as well as we can but still good enough to get the points,” said Clifton.
“They scored two outrageous goals. The first saw the ball hit the crossbar and bounce down for a simple tap-in and the second was going 30-feet wide when it took a deflection and flew in.”
The Tigers now have three home games to finally show their promotion credentials but start with a tough one against title-chasing Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday. After that they welcome bottom club Haverhill Borough before mid-table Diss Town arrive at Carter’s Park.
Unfortunately Clifton will not be able to watch them as he has received a four-match stadium ban after receiving a red card at Swaffham on Boxing Day.
Tigers: Rigby, Oldham, Robertson, Nicholson, Harris, Carter, Hoyle, Barnes, Pilbeam, Prentice, Frost. Subs: Cook, Thorne, Yambasu.
Attendance: 115.
