With some enforced changes it was evident that we lacked a cutting edge, and given that the visitors attacks were rare to say the least the nature of the game was such that a nil nil bore draw looked on the cards from early on.

Our one noticeable threat coming from set plays, and such was our aerial dominance any decent delivery allowed us at the very least a half chance every time.

The lead should have been given to us by Matt Ellis who volleyed over from a Scott Todd corner from within the six-yard box in the opening fifteen minutes. His shot clearing the bar and perimeter fence.
From another dead ball kick this time delivered by Ellis, West won the initial header and Puckett’s swivel shot goal wards, saw only the crossbar deny him a goal.

That apart we offered very little, and whilst our defence was solid and our midfield tidy with the use of the ball, a reluctance to pass forward or deliver crosses into the box left the fans frustrated at the lack of goalmouth action.

Arguably the turning point came early in the second half when a calf injury sustained by goalkeeper Mark Daniels saw an enforced change. If that wasn’t disruptive enough, for probably the first time ever Glynn Stephens had opted not to have a goalkeeper on the bench leaving Andrew Heath to take the gloves.

Five minutes after coming on we fell behind. Whilst the goal may have been prevented with Mark in place, the delivery of our own free kick and the subsequent marking by our defenders wasn’t good enough and we were duly punished for these basic errors.

It seemed as if we accepted that was that, as we showed very little character in hunting down an equaliser and all in all it was far too comfortable for a depleted Cove side to hang on for their victory.