Glen Maddison admits dismissal changed game for Sleaford Town

GLEN MADDISON has singled out a red card moment as the deciding factor in Sleaford Town's 3-0 defeat at Wellingborough.

The Sleaford Town boss, who saw his team earn a 3-0 win over Quorn the week before, watched as they suffered defeat by the same scoreline in Northamptonshire on Saturday.

The home side, who were bottom of the table, had been put under pressure by the visitors, with Maddison happy with his side's first half display.

However, with a minute to go before the break, Wellingborough were awarded a penalty, which they converted.

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"It was a bad time for us to concede a goal," reflected Maddison.

"We had played well in the first half and started off where we finished in the previous game.

"But then they got their penalty and then we had a man sent off."

That man was Sleaford midfielder Nick Bishop. His red card came following a challenge made close to the halfway line.

Despite the forward still having a long way to go, Bishop was deemed to have been the last defender and was given a straight red.

"That red card was really what changed the game," added Maddison.

"But it was an unlucky red card. Bish (Bishop) had to make a decision on whether to challenge the player and he went for it.

"It was a booking at most. He was on the halfway line and not even in the centre of the pitch.

"Bish was beating himself up about it after the game, but it was one of those occasions when you just have to make a quick decision."

Having been reduced to ten men, Sleaford made a fight of it, but eventually conceded two further goals as Maddison's target of 40 points remains a distance away.

"Some of the lads were upset over the contributions of a few," said Maddison. "But we have to stand or fall as a team. Everyone has to look at their own performance before they criticise anyone."

Sleaford are without a game until February 23, when they face new basement boys Irchester in what Maddison says is a must-win game.

"We need to get another 10 or 12 points to ensure our safety in the league, so this is a game we simply have to win," he said.

"We have two weeks to prepare for it and we will arrange a couple of friendly games between now and that fixture and we will be ready."