Eamonn McCarthy admits Saturday’s stalemate with Bourneview Mill left a “bitter taste in the mouth” as Crewe United’s title hopes suffered a significant blow.
The 1-1 draw at Pepperton Park saw Crewe slip further behind Intermediate A leaders Ballymacash Rangers who romped to a 5-1 win over Richhill AFC.
They did bounce back with a 5-0 win over Tandragee Rovers on Wednesday night, but the gap stands at 14 points.
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McCarthy's side do hold three games in hand, but they have been left with a mountain to climb after dropping their first points since October.
The Crewe boss was left incensed by a penalty decision that resulted in Bourneview’s equaliser, and also led to the sending off of Steven Brown.
“It is very frustrating,” McCarthy told Match on Tuesday.
“I thought the first 15 minutes Bourneview were very good, and then the end of the first half and start of the second we were very good. We were in control.
“We had the best player on the pitch by a country mile in Aaron Harmon, and we were looking so comfortable.
“Then came the penalty decision which was poor.
“We were a fair distance away from the incident, but you could see by the reaction of our players that it wasn’t a penalty.
“The Bourneview lad even said it wasn’t a penalty, and their centre forward was tugging our centre half.
“We then had Steven Brown sent off in the aftermath and the whole game changed.
“We had won 12 matches on the bounce and then that happens. I am fed up with it.
“I am honest, and when we don’t play well I put my hands up. Someone might get shouted at in the changing room.
“But something like this, I have to speak up. It looked like a free out to us, but then the referee pointed to the spot.
“We should have had a penalty ourselves in the second half. A goalbound shot hit the defender’s hand. That should have been given.
“Maybe one of these days we will get a refereeing decision and get some luck. Saturday was hugely frustrating, and it has happened to us a few times this season.
“Saturday’s penalty just left a bitter taste in the mouth.”
McCarthy added: “Decisions like that can cost you at the end of the season.
“Our record speaks for itself. We had won 12 on the bounce, and we had beaten Ballymacash Rangers comfortably at Crewe Park. We made some good signings in the January window and we are looking strong.
“If a good side beats you, you take your hat off. But a draw like that feels like a defeat and it is sickening.
“It was tough going down to 10 men. You try to go for it but the players tired a bit.
“But Bourneview are a good side, and they are one of the best sides we have played this season.
“They sit in and hit you on the break, and they are quick on the break.
“But I thought we were in control of Saturday’s game until the penalty and sending off, and then everything changed.”
McCarthy admits Crewe have no time to wallow in self-pity, with the title hopefuls back in action on Wednesday night against Tandragee before taking on St Mary's on Saturday.
“We have to move on. There are still a lot of games to play this season and a long way to go,” he added.
“The ball is firmly in Ballymacash’s court now, but we have 11 games left which is 33 points. We will try and win every single game.
“We have a game on Wednesday night and we have to go again. We have to reset.
“If Ballymacash go and win their remaining games then they deserve it. That would be a hell of a run and they will have earned it.
“We want to force their hand and try to push them all the way. If we come up short then we will accept it.”
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