Lutterworth Town 1 Holbeach United 0
Danny Hussey felt that the officials cost his Holbeach United side a valuable point after a controversial injury-time penalty sentenced them to a 1-0 defeat at Lutterworth Town on Tuesday night.
The Tigers, who boss Hussey felt played in “third gear” all night, looked set to come away from a tough venue with a share of the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division spoils.
But they were left bemused when a clumsy challenge on keeper Ricky Drury led to Lutterworth being awarded a penalty – which was duly scored by Kade Lewis in the 92nd-minute to give the hosts a smash-and-grab three points.
For Holbeach, the defeat is a blow to their title hopes and is also a third loss in their last five games in all competitions.
Hussey was critical of the performances put in by some of his players and admitted that they didn’t do enough on the night.
“Of course I’m disappointed with the officials,” said the Tigers boss. “The game looked like finishing 0-0, which would have been about right.
“I’m not really sure how the referee awarded a penalty at the end, Ricky Drury got clattered by one of their players, then the next thing I know he’s given them a penalty.
“I don’t know what Ricky did wrong, he got absolutely flattened. It was farcical.
“That being said, it wasn’t a good performance from the lads. We just didn’t do enough on the night.
“Lutterworth seemed to want a fight on the night, from the players, to the dugout, to the fans.
“For our part, I think a few of the lads were hiding on the pitch. We didn’t offer anything high up the pitch and never really gave the man on the ball any options.
“We played in third gear and didn’t really create anything. To be fair, Lutterworth didn’t create much either and I didn’t ever feel like we’d lose the game.
“Credit to them, though. They defended well and won every header. They are a decent side made up of local lads.
“But the officials cost us dear, hopefully we’ll get something go our way soon as we’ve had our fair share of bad decisions going against us.”
Next up for fifth-placed Holbeach is a very tough trip to title favourites Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday (3pm).
The hosts are just one point above the Tigers in fourth, but do have two games in hand on them.
Hussey admits that games don’t come much harder in the UCL Premier Division than the clash at Butthole Lane and intimated that he’ll look to make changes to his line-up.
He added: “Along with Loughborough University, Shepshed is the toughest game in the league – especially away from home.
“A few of the boys didn’t do enough at Lutterworth and perhaps it’s time for a few changes.
“I’m not sure our formation has worked in the last few games and maybe we need to set up to frustrate Shepshed.
“Games don’t come much harder than this, really.”
The Tigers might have to do without striker Jonny Lockie after he picked up a groin injury at Lutterworth, while Joe Smith failed to come through the warm-up and could miss a few weeks.
Key frontman Michael Frew is available, though.
Holbeach also have a tasty-looking home game against title rivals and current table-toppers Quorn at Carter’s Park on Wednesday night (7.45pm).
Tigers: Drury, Wilson, T Smith, N Jackson, Fairweather, A Jackson, Setchell, Tinkler, Ford, Lockie, Adams. Subs: Bird, Withers, J Smith, Oliver.
