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Another bad day at Edgeley Park

7/11/2007

COUNTY boss Jim Gannon admitted that a lack of quality from certain players played a major part in his side’s third straight home league defeat on Saturday.

The Hatters, who had Matty McNeil on target with his third goal of the season, saw Peterborough prevail 2-1 at Edgeley Park thanks to first-half goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and the impressive Aaron McLean.

High hopes

Gannon said: "Their winning goal was a special one, but I had high hopes going into today’s game following the win at MK Dons.

"They soon went cold though. Some players were found wanting today, and the over-riding feeling now is of being sad and depressed when I think about some of the things that are going on.

"We’ve lost Ashley Williams and Dominic Blizzard to injuries too, it’s been a bad day."

Gannon added: "A lot of players lacked sufficient quality today. Some of the touches, some of the passes just weren’t there. That side of things is particularly disappointing.

"We also had opportunities to switch play which weren’t taken. That was disappointing too.

"It’s another defeat for us, and some of the players are demoralised. Some of the fans will be too.

"However, even having said that we could still have got something out of the game."

As well as Williams suffering a knee injury and Blizzard’s hamstring pull, Gannon also lost Michael Raynes just before Saturday’s game as he was suffering with a stomach bug.

Meanwhile, Posh manager Darren Ferguson was of course happy as his side continued their promotion push.

Ferguson said: "I’m delighted with that result today, we’re eight unbeaten now and I can’t ask any more from the lads than that.

"We did well in October, and I’ve already asked the players to continue that through into November now.

"Stockport had a good result at MK Dons last week, and I knew they’d be physical, but I thought we were dominant in the first half particularly.

"Even after they equalised we had chances, but what a goal from Aaron. That deserved to win any game."

SATURDAY’S Express star man James Smith was set to make his final County appearance at Rochdale Tuesday night before returning to Liverpool at the end of his 93-day loan.

The defender has made a big impression since arriving from Anfield, and has been on the losing side just twice in his 11 County appearances.

However, any deal to bring him back to SK3 can only be conducted in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Leslie Thompson has now returned to Bolton Wanderers after completing his one-month loan.

The winger made four appearances during his spell at County.