Poor performance puzzles Mullen

A downcast Damen Mullen reflected on Spartans FA Trophy exit and the hands of Evo-Stik First Division North side Ramsbottom United but admitted that he was at a loss to explain why his side didn't perform on the day. A wonder strike from Rams captain Daniel Warrender won the tie for the Rams but Mullen that both him personally and the entire side "just didn't perform".

"Obviously we were on a high from the Frickley win on Tuesday and we were looking forward to a big game today. For whatever reason we just never got going, we never came out of the dressing room and we were poor. I can't say why that happened, we just didn't play our football. I was poor and all over the pitch we just didn't perform"

Mullen was quick to pay credit to the visitors as they dumped a Premier Division side out of the Trophy for the second consecutive round. It was Worksop Town who were their victims in the First Qualifying Round and Warrender's goal added Spartans to that list.

"They were arguably the underdogs here today but they were excellent. They played some good stuff and were committed, they would have been a handful for any team in our league but we just weren't good enough today"

If there is a positive for Spartans then it is that they have a quick turnaround in fixtures with bottom of the league Droylsden making the trip to Northumberland on Tuesday night. Mullen urged his side to show a reaction to the Trophy exit and felt they have a point to prove to the Green Army after the defeat.

"We have to react on Tuesday. Regardless of their league position being bottom this will still be a difficult game for us. They are desperate for points to help them stay in the division but we have to get back to winning ways and we have to show the fans that we know today just wasn't good enough for this club"