“The future looks bright,” said Spartans’ manager Tom Wade after his side’s 1-1 draw at Croft Park with AFC Fylde. However he was quick to suggest that any thoughts of reaching the play offs could be scuppered by injuries to key players.
“I think we are a little short, squad-wise, to get in the play offs. It’s a big ask but it is something we will try to attain and we can kick on in that respect from Saturday’s draw,” he said.
Wade was disappointed not to win the game.
“Fylde are a top side and we couldn’t get in to the game in the first 15 minutes but we gradually started to come in to it and scored a great goal when Nipa [Daniel Maguire] coolly finished. Nipa is back to his best and he kept the two centre backs occupied all afternoon. On top of that the three in midfield did exceptionally well and our back four were superb. We really looked like a good side full of unselfish running. I was delighted with the performance.
“Our substitutes did well too. It’s never easy coming on in a high intensity game and settling in quickly but they did well.”
The visitors equalised with minutes remaining following a controversial penalty decision in their favour.
Wade commented: “We should have been three or four goals up by then but I couldn’t believe the penalty decision! I was watching from high up in the stand and yes, it was probably a free kick, but it was never inside the box.
“However we played exceptionally well and we can now look forward to our game at King’s Lynn next Saturday.”