Austin rues two points that got away after sloppy Cobblers let lead slip

Cobblers boss Dean Austin made no attempt to dress up his side's 2-2 draw with Carlisle United on Saturday as he lamented the way they conceded so quickly after taking the lead.
Dean Austin hailed the 'unbelievable' support Cobblers took to Carlisle on Saturday. Picture: Kirsty EdmondsDean Austin hailed the 'unbelievable' support Cobblers took to Carlisle on Saturday. Picture: Kirsty Edmonds
Dean Austin hailed the 'unbelievable' support Cobblers took to Carlisle on Saturday. Picture: Kirsty Edmonds

Town had worked hard to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead as Kevin van Veen's header - his first goal for the club - and Matt Crooks' excellent finish cancelled out Jamie Devitt's screamer and had the visitors heading for three points.

But barely 90 seconds had passed when Hallam Hope wriggled away from the Cobblers defence to fire into the bottom corner and leave Austin ruing two points dropped.

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"It's a point and that's about all I'm pleased with," he said afterwards. "It was quite disappointing today in terms of the way we played.

"We still created enough chances to win the game easily but I'm disappointed with how we played without the ball and the two goals we conceded especially.

"Five minutes was all we needed to hold on for and then we can close the game out and pick their pockets, as we showed even at 2-2. You're most vulnerable when you've just scored so that's very, very disappointing.

"I think it testament to the lads in the dressing room and what they expect of themselves and the stall we've set out in pre-season that they're actually absolutely gutted. They're not happy with themselves or with each other."

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Austin was equally disappointed with Town's substandard first-half display when they struggled to get going and were fortunate to go into half-time on level terms.

"It'd have been a very long journey home had we continued in the same vein of the first-half because it just simply wasn't good enough," he added.

"It was then a game of basketball in the last 10 minutes and it went end-to-end. They had a few appeals and we gave the ball away too cheaply, but we've got to dust ourselves down again."

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