Pitmen pressure got to us says Turnbull

Spartans midfielder Stephen Turnbull felt that pressure was the main reason that his side fell to a 0-3 defeat against title challenging Hednesford Town. The Pitmen moved within two points of leaders North Ferriby United and were good value for their win but the former Hartlepool United man wants to see his side would more as a collective to relieve some of the pressure put on them by opposing sides.

"The ball is coming back at us and there's little chance of a break. The two lads up front have done brilliantly recently and it's tough for them but as a team we have to make the ball stick up there. The last thing you want to do is defend for ninety minutes so we have to ease the pressure on but that has to be done as a team and not just down to the strikers.

Just as several other Spartans players had, Turnbull expressed his annoyance at conceding three preventable goals. Neil Harvey, Kris Taylor and Michael Lennon gave the home side all three points but all three goals showed up shortfalls in Spartans defensive ability. The midfielder was frustrated to see his side give away goals that were more than avoidable but was quick to stress that Spartans performance wasn't all about negatives.

"The first goal was sloppy, the second was a deflection but the lad has ran too far at us without a challenge and the third we just haven't reacted to the free kick. It's furstrating because we were as good as they were at times and played some good stuff at time creating chances for a few of the lads but you could see the main difference was how organised they were."