‘Not a million miles away’ - Brackley Town boss Andy Whing takes encouragement from Rochdale defeat

Andy Whing insists Brackley Town are improving following Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat away at National League table-toppers Rochdale.

The Saints have now lost four on the bounce under their new head coach but some of the performances have at least been promising. That was the case again at Crown Oil Arena.

Andy Whing believes Brackley Town's performances have been strong despite four successive defeats, most recently away at National League leaders Rochdale. (Picture credit: Pete Keen)

placeholder image — Andy Whing believes Brackley Town's performances have been strong despite four successive defeats, most recently away at National League leaders Rochdale. (Picture credit: Pete Keen)

Rochdale took just four minutes to open the scoring through striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe but Brackley fought back to make it 1-1, Zak Lilley the scorer.

Rochdale then went back ahead as Dieseruvwe doubled his tally, before Kyron Gordon made it 3-1 to effectively put the result beyond doubt.

But Whing’s side weren’t done there, determined to deliver a comeback for their 15 travelling supporters. Lilley scored his second goal in stoppage time to set up a tense final few moments, however there just wasn’t enough time for an equaliser.

“I’m sick of saying there are a lot of positives and coming away with nothing, but I thought tonight was probably our best performance,” Whing told @BrackleyTownFC.

“We were really good on Saturday (against Altrincham) and I was down in the dumps because it was fine margins.

“It was the same tonight: fine margins. There was some naivety and inexperience at times, maybe, but I thought we were excellent.

“We were really sharp on the counter, the shape was good. They (Rochdale) had a lot of possession but I don’t think they had many chances.”

The pressure is building as Brackley remain just three points above the relegation zone, though Whing certainly isn’t losing hope of a revival in the final dozen matches.

“I just said to the lads that we need the results, but that we’re not a million miles away,” Whing added.

“We’ve just got to stop conceding sloppy goals. We’ve got to start picking up points from somewhere, I’d rather play rubbish and win at the minute. That’s how it is.

“We’ve had another injury with Morgan (Roberts). That’s four games and three injuries. That’s killing us a bit, but we’ve got to be positive about the grit and determination from the group.

“That will put us in good stead for the rest of the season.”

Brackley are next due in action on Saturday, as they travel away to fourth-placed Boreham Wood.