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'Mistakes cost us'

23/ 4/2008

JIM Gannon was hoarse when he conducted his post-match media briefing after Saturday’s incident-packed home defeat against League Two leaders MK Dons.

Paul Ince’s side secured their promotion to League One after they came from twice being behind to win thanks to Keith Andrews’ 74th minute winner, but it had been a game between two top sides in the fourth tier and Gannon remains justifiably proud of his players.

He said: "A couple of mistakes cost us today, but I’ve told the lads not to be too disappointed and hard on themselves.

"We scored two great goals today, we’ve got some real quality at this club. We’ve got some great people here.

"At least we’ve not lost anything as Hereford lost too, we’ll keep believing and we’ll reflect on what has happened on Monday.

"I’m still proud of the lads, not just after today, but after the whole season we’ve had.

"We’ve still got three games left to play, so I can’t predict anything. There’s still going to be a few twists and turns between now and the end of the season."

Although County slipped to their first defeat in 11 games on Saturday, at least their main rivals in the continuing battle for the third automatic promotion place - Hereford United - also lost [at home to Peterborough].

The Bulls remain just one point clear of County, although they did host rock-bottom Wrexham last night [Tues].

Going back to Saturday’s game, Gannon was asked about his fierce exchange of words with Dons’ Lloyd Dyer on the touchline after the winger had appeared to taunt the County boss following the winning goal.

Tempers clearly frayed, and Gannon said: "MK Dons have got some quality players, but it was disappointing to see them using snide practises, fouls, time-wasting and gamesmanship to try and gain an advantage.

"The over-riding feeling though, was of the arrogance of them. I’d rather work for a club like Stockport County than with people like that."

Dons’ boss Ince, who will surely be in demand from other clubs in the summer after guiding his side to promotion in his first season at Stadium MK, said: "That was another fantastic performance from the lads. It wasn’t the best of pitches to play on, but the lads were awesome.

"To come from behind, and then again in the second half, just shows what we’re about.

"I’ve told the lads to enjoy tonight, but now we’re going to go for the title. We’ve still got everything to give so why not go for it?"