Spartans midfielder Neal Hooks was disappointed not to have seen his side take a point away from Kellamergh Park as they went down 1-0 to play off challengers AFC Fylde. Hooks returned to the midfield after missing Spartans 4-2 win over Stafford Rangers on Saturday and put in a hardworking performance, something that all of his team mates replicated and the former Spennymoor and Ross County man was pleased with his side’s efforts.
He commented “We were worthy of a point tonight and it was an excellent team performance. We are obviously disappointed to have come away with nothing but we feel we did well on the night and deserved something at least. We have improved over the last month and are more organised and structured and that’s down to Tom and John, that showed through tonight.”
Spartans keeper Conor Grant walked away with the man of the match award after producing two or three top class saves to deny Fylde dangermen Michael Barnes and Jack Dorney and Hooks was quick to pay tribute to the twenty two year old keeper.
He said “Conor was excellent from start to finish and pulled off some top saves at key points during the game. It’s a shame that we couldn’t reward his performance with a clean sheet and a point because he was top draw tonight.”
It’s been a tough period for Spartans as they have faced six away games in their last eight league fixtures. That run included three consecutive away fixtures but Hooks is looking forward to getting back to Croft Park on Saturday as Grantham Town travel to Northumberland and challenged his side to end their season in style.
He said “We can’t wait to get back to Croft Park on Saturday and we should be looking to take maximum points from our next four games because we want to end the season well. It’s been a tough one all round but we want to make sure we finish it off well.”