Cowan hails Brackley squad as they extend unbeaten National League run to five matches
Brackley Town boss Gavin Cowan praised his players' 'attitude and application' after they secured a precious point in a 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United in the Enterprise National League on Saturday.
Playing just four days after a marathon midweek trip to Cornwall to take on Truro City in a 3-3 draw off the back of the previous Saturday's win over Yeovil Town, Brackley were back in action at St James Park and played out another stalemate against their full-time, play-off chasing opponents.
Cowan felt the draw was probably the right result after a tight encounter, but also added that he felt if Brackley had been at their best, they would have secured a victory.
The draw extends the Saints' unbeaten run in the league to five matches, and ensured they are in good spirit ahead of Tuesday night's National League Cup quarter-final trip to Boreham Wood (ko 7pm). "I would say a draw is a fair result," Cowan told @BrackleyTownFC. "We nearly nicked it at the end, so I am devastated to not get that, but I think Hartlepool had about eight players on the line. It was great defending from them.
"In the first half I would say we edged it, and I don't think we were worked at all, we defended really well and then hurt them when we had the ball.
"In the second half I thought we were quite lethargic and couldn't really get going, but that is not for the lack of trying, I can't faul their attitude and application, but there was fatigue.
"Hartlepool then came into the game a bit more, but other than Cam (Cameron Gregory) pulling off a fantastic save from a free-kick they haven't really hurt us.
"But I think a draw is fair, and if we had scored at the end it would have been harsh on Hartlepool.
"That is how we are talking now, we have had a result against an ex-Football League team that is full-time and we are stood here saying it is a fair result, so it is great to have high standards and to put it into perspective.
"It's never easy in this league, we are still in a time of transition, so every single point on the board is going to be invaluable to us.
"We feel that if we had been at our best on Saturday we would have taken the three points, but it has been a real tough week as it's a big trip to Truro, getting back at 4am, and then playing again.
"I am pleased with the players, and how they fought for that point."
The point gained saw Brackley rise a place to 15th in the National League table, six points above the relegation zone. After Tuesday night's National League Cup trip to high-flying Boreham Wood, Brackley are on the road again on Saturday when they go to 18th-placed Sutton United.