Todmorden Borough slipped back to the foot of the West Lancashire League on Saturday but boss Craig Milnes was by no means dismayed after a 2-0 defeat at Walney Island.
“Football can be a cruel game and we played the better football and created the better chances,” he said.
However, the lack of a cutting edge remains a major problem for the Bellholme side and Milnes said he would consider changing things around up front in a bid to stop the goal drought.
Borough have scored only 10 goals in 12 games and have lacked a regular scorer since Oliver Wood, who now plays for Burnley United in the Premier, left the club a couple of years ago.
They even missed a penalty after the break in Cumbria with Jamie Melvin’s effort saved.
That came as Borough pressed hard after conceding twice in the first half.
“If that had gone in I think we might have won the game,” said Milnes. “It would have given us the confidence boost we needed.”
Gaz Lawrence was ill and unable to take his place on the mini bus which left shortly after 10.30 for the long trip.
Adam Walker and Jack Dungworth filled the fullback roles in the absence of Dan Lively and Stevie Barker. James Crowther was in midfield for the absent James Peavoy and Terry Lowe replaced Dean Farry.
Island, also in desperate need of points, made the breakthrough after 20 minutes from the penalty spot after the ball had hit Walker on the arm.
Borough couldn’t complain about the decision because a split second after the referee had blown a home player lashed the ball into the net.
The home side doubled their lead after half an hour when a long punt which held up in the wind caught out the defence and an Island player cashed in.
Todmorden had been limited to half-chances in the first half but had better ones in the second, although a final ball was still lacking on occasions.
Stoneclough’s 4-4 draw at home to Millom took them above Borough on goal difference but only three points separates six sides at the bottom so a couple of wins could propel Milnes’ side up the table.
Tod are back on the bus this Saturday when they will be looking to match or better Stoneclough’s effort against Millom. Walker is unavailable.
Division Two
P W D L F A Pts
Ladybridge 12 10 1 1 45 10 31
Haslingden 13 10 1 2 47 20 31
Leyland Utd 14 9 2 3 38 24 29
CMB 12 8 0 4 36 21 24
Furness Cav 13 7 0 6 26 31 21
Kendal C 12 6 2 4 26 19 20
Millom 13 6 2 5 31 38 20
Croston Sp 11 6 0 5 25 19 18
Furness Rov 14 3 3 8 21 31 12
Walney Is 12 3 2 7 20 34 11
Barrow W 15 3 1 11 14 44 10
Milnthorpe C 11 2 3 6 18 21 9
Stoneclough 12 2 3 7 21 36 9
Todmorden B 12 3 0 9 10 30 9