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City need shot in arm

25/10/2001

ONCE again Salford City lost points against opponents they were expected to beat as they drew 1-1 with Fleetwood at Highbury Stadium.

After their glorious opening run of six wins in their first seven fixtures, City have won just twice in their last eight games. The Moor Lane side's inability to create, let alone convert, enough goal-scoring opportunities has put their usually reliable defence under pressure.

On Saturday, despite taking the lead, Salford never looked comfortable against their lowly, if improving, opposition on the Fylde coast.

Midway through the half, slightly against the run of play, Salford went in front when team captain Gary Vaughan was on hand at the back post to finish off a good run and left wing cross from Mattie Swailes.

Within minutes Paul Crompton almost grabbed the equaliser when possession was given away in City's midfield but he pulled his shot wide of the upright.

Just before half time Melville was called into action again, pushing a well struck free kick from Crompton over the crossbar.

City failed to lift their game in the second half, with only Mattie Hughes looking likely to get through the home defence. But his efforts were either blocked or adequately dealt with by Freeport 'keeper Tony Clowes.

Fleetwood hadn't been testing the visitors' backline until a disastrous error from Melville gifted them the equaliser midway through the half. In attempting to clear a back pass - a la Barthez - he allowed Riches the simple task of passing the ball into an empty net.

Salford seemed to have responded immediately to this setback at the other end with Clowes beaten by a shot from Hughes. However, the referee ruled out the goal because of some infringement in the build-up.

Try as they might in the closing 15 minutes, City simply could not break down the home rearguard.

With Salford's midweek game at Clitheroe falling victim to a waterlogged pitch, manager Andy Brown will now be awaiting the arrival of Congleton Town to Moor Lane on Saturday (3pm) to kick start his season.

On Tuesday next, City play again at home, kick off 7.45pm, this time against Chadderton in the Manchester Premier Cup.