Newmarket Town concede another stoppage time goal in 1-1 Isthmian League North Division draw with Mildenhall Town
If football matches finished at exactly 90 minutes then Newmarket Town would not be heading into their final three Isthmian League North Division fixtures looking nervously over their shoulder.
As Saturday’s derby clash with Mildenhall Town ticked into stoppage time, the Jockeys led by a single goal scored by Isaac Maynard with 15 minutes remaining.
However, in the second minute of time added on substitute Ben Nolan rescued a 1-1 draw for the visitors – a result that all about ensured Mildenhall’s Step 4 status.
But Newmarket are nowhere near as comfortable after seeing their tally of dropped points in stoppage time this season grow to 11 points.
As a result, Michael Shinn’s men find themselves just two points above the relegation zone following 19th-placed Haringey Borough’s 2-0 win over Heybridge Swifts.
“It (conceding stoppage time goals) happened to us a couple of times early in the season,” said Shinn.
“Once that’s happened two or three times you probably become a bit more rash with your defending late in games than you need to be.
“It all becomes a bit panicked because you’ve been there before and you expect it to happen again.
“Do concentration levels play a part? Maybe, but I think it’s a mentality thing. It’s obviously a lot of points to drop and Saturday summed it up in a lot of ways.”
The Easter period has dealt Newmarket a trip to sixth-placed Tilbury on Saturday, but it is Easter Monday’s home clash with Wroxham (both 3pm) that looks to be particularly crucial.
Ahead of the weekend the Yachtsmen are three points better off than Newmarket having posted a trio of victories on the bounce.
“We looked at that Wroxham game a long time ago and felt even then that it was going to be a massive game,” added Shinn.
“Tilbury is going is to be difficult but you never know. We’ve got to keep at it, hopefully get a good result there and then that sets us up for well Wroxham.”
Newmarket are set to go into that double header – as well as the final game of the season at Concord Rangers – without Ally Conway.
The attacking midfielder was sent off late on against Mildenhall and it is expected that he will serve a three-game suspension.
“Ally has tried to stop a Mildenhall counter-attack and maybe it was a little bit high, but it still felt a bit harsh,” said Shinn.
“He’s going to be a big miss because Ally has been great for me and the club since joining from Cambridge City.
“We’re at that stage of the season where we’re limping through a bit with injuries, so to be missing Ally is a huge blow.”
Sixteenth-placed Mildenhall, meanwhile, will entertain Witham Town on Saturday before making the short journey to Bury Town on Monday (both 3pm).
