by OSCAR JOHNSON

WIVENHOE Town manager Gary Monti feels his side have been unlucky in a number of ways this season but refused to make excuses for their failure to convert chances during Friday's 1-1 draw against Brightlingsea Regent Reserves.

Regent were leading at half-time but Mike Fitzgibbon equalised for the Dragons, during the Thurlow Nunn League first division south contest at the Taydal Stadium.

Monti feels his side only have themselves to blame for missing out on what would have been just their second win in eight games.

“We knew they would be a young and fit side who would close us down quickly but, in the first half, we just weren't at the races,” said the Wivenhoe boss.

“Having said that, we still had two very good goalscoring chances in the first half and, in the second, we were much better and created loads of chances.

“At the end of the day, poor finishing and officiating cost us the win for the second week in a row."

Monti’s side were left incensed after Tom Lakin had the ball in the net minutes from time - only for the goal to be overruled after he was adjudged to have been offside.

Lakin’s effort would have sealed a dramatic turnaround for the visitors, who trailed Regent for almost an hour after Charlie Lindoe latched onto a perfectly-weighted pass before sliding the ball past keeper Ben Gallifant.

Chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half until Gallifant made a strong save down to his right to deny Alexis Pryke and ensure the visitors were only a goal behind at the break.

The second half began reminiscent of the first, as both sides struggled to create many good opportunities.

Wivenhoe captain Sam Mead went closest to scoring as his looped effort beat the keeper but also the crossbar.

The visitors then began to dominate possession as the second half continued and eventually found an equaliser as substitute Fitzgibbon found the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area.

Up next for Wivenhoe is a visit to the Oakside Stadium to face 17th-placed Newbury Forest on Saturday (3pm).

“We go there with the hope of getting three points because these are games we should be winning if we harbour any hopes of promotion,” Monti added.

“We've suffered a lot with long-term injuries to important players this season and that's taken its toll.

"But it’s the same for every team so that's a lame excuse."