Jimmy Marshall out to plug Lancaster leaks this Easter
Jimmy Marshall wants his Lancaster City side to stop leaking “schoolboy goals” as they look to get their play-off bid back on track over Easter.
It follows a 4-1 defeat away to Northern Premier League leaders Hebburn Town – the first time they have conceded four all season.
Saturday's game wasn't as one-sided as it sounds – it was 2-1 until the 90th minute and the Dolly Blues led until the 57th through Simon Grand's early strike.
However, their second-half decline annoyed manager Marshall, who told the club's media team: “First half we were pretty good. The wind was howling from one end to the other and we probably needed to be more than one up at half-time.
“But to concede four was really poor and they won't score easier goals. We were so naïve and we need more than that.
"We need to defend our box better and make better decisions. I think at the end we downed tools a little and that really disappointed me.”
One player to escape criticism was debutant goalkeeper Callum Feeney. The 17-year-old has been signed on loan from Burnley for the rest of the season after Brad Jones suffered a back injury in training.
Marshall added: “I thought he was really good and I made a beeline for him at the final whistle because he didn't deserve to be on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat.”
While Jones needed to be assessed, Marshall warned that Charles Bailey's injury could keep him out for the season. City were also missing Toby Oliver due to illness.
The defeat leaves Lancaster five points outside the play-off zone in seventh spot with five fixtures remaining.
The Easter holiday double-header sees Friday's home clash with Morpeth Town followed by a Monday visit to Bamber Bridge.
Morpeth are second-bottom but one good result could lift them out of the relegation zone.
“Easter is always a special time and I'm looking for clean sheets and goals,” said Marshall. “Morpeth are battling at the bottom and Bamber Bridge is a local derby. I've had two defeats against them, so I'm looking to spin that on its head.
“We're running out of games and need to get as many points as we can. We'll try to get some players back and work to finish as high as possible.”