Assistant boss Paul Crowson admitted that Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Langtoft United was “disappointing with a capital D” for Moulton Harrox.
The defending champions lost ground in the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division title race after what proved to be a frustrating afternoon at Manor Way Sports Ground.
Strikers Marcus Parry and Dan Woods netted for Moulton, but a Scott Spearink double – including a hotly-disputed penalty – earned the hosts an unlikely draw.
Crowson felt the penalty decision turned the game, with Harrox 1-0 up at the time. He stopped short of blasting veteran referee Reg Parker, but admitted the official was a long way away from the incident.
“There was no contact,” said the Harrox number two. “It turned the game, as it gave them real belief.
“We could easily have been 8-0 up at half-time, that’s how dominant we were. Yes, the referee got it wrong for their penalty. Reg was miles away from the incident and I don’t know how he could give it.
“But it was an isolated incident, we have to look at ourselves and the chances we wasted.
“It’s disappointing with a capital D. You could see after the final whistle that the lads knew it was an opportunity missed.
“We’ve lost ground in the title race, which is a real blow. But we’ll pick ourselves up and move onto the next game.
“We’ve got two cup quarter finals in successive weeks and need to get ourselves up for them.”
Harrox will be boosted by the return of Matt Watkin and Joe Townsend for Saturday’s President Premier Shield clash at Wisbech Town Reserves.
Watkin missed the Langtoft draw through illness, while Townsend returns from a ban.
Harrox: Kenealy, Groves, Johnson, Coddington, McGuire, King, Cawthorne, L Steadman, Allen, Woods, Parry. Sub used: Farrell. Not used: Bailey-Smith, N Steadman.
Attendance: 22.
