NARROW DEFEAT AT HOME BUXTON

Needham Market's winless run extends to three matches after a 2-1 defeat to Buxton.

Tom Rothery's side made one change to the trip to Kidderminster Harriers, Jamie McGrath starting in place of Jacob Lay.

The hosts had the first major chance on 21 minutes as Luke Ingram's low strike was crucially blocked.

Oli Ewing then smashed home the opening goal on 27 minutes before the Marketmen equalised 2 minutes before the break. Tevan Allen's looping shot was smothered by Cooper as far as Jamie McGrath who found the top corner with a stunning looping strike. 

Tevan Allen then flashed an angled effort just wide on the stroke of the interval. 

Tommy Elliott however scored the decisive goal on 48 minutes, who was then denied expertly by Garnham on 54 minutes. 

Needham however saw appeals for a penalty dismissed for a corner, while Kyle Hammond rattled the crossbar with a brilliant wide free-kick on 64 minutes. 

While Needham saw appeals for penalties on Ted Collis, Luke Ingram and Jamie McGrath all waved away by the referee, the Marketmen continued to search for a second equaliser, though Cooper held McGrath's glancing header from Tommy Smith's dangerous cross on 82 minutes. 

Marcus Garnham meanwhile narrowed down the angle to thwart Elliott from close range two minutes later, while Jake Dye looped an effort just wide from McGrath's flick on. 

Seth Chambers then fire agonisingly wide into the side-netting while Ben Sault saw his close range shot also denied brilliantly by Garnham. 

Luke Ingram met another excellent Tommy Smith cross at the far post but headed straight at the keeper. 

Needham remain seven points from safety, while Buxton sit seventh and two points from a play-off spot. The Reds will look to bounce back when Curzon Ashton, who are also hunting for a play-off spot, visit the Ecologic Stadium Bloomfields on Tuesday (7:45pm). 

Tom Rothery reflects on yesterday's defeat to Buxton.

DK: It kind of feels like a point dropped. 

TR: Yeah, it's frustrating. I've just said that to the players. I feel really frustrated, really, because, again, we're coming in saying not much in the game. A few little chances, a few little things here and there, but the goal straight after half-time again kills us because you're then chasing the game. And then off the back of that they get a couple of opportunities off the break which Marco saved really well. I can't ask any more of the players. I think the players have worked really hard today and battled and given everything they can. I just don't think we're getting those little breaks and little bits of luck at the moment that fall for us. And don't seem to get decisions either. I think it's a stonewall penalty in the second half. I think the tackle on Dan's naughty, potentially a red card. We just don't seem to get any decisions either. Like I've said, the pleasing thing is what the lads gave. They gave everything.

I can't ask any more than that. So, take the results out of it. All I can ask for these remaining games is that the players give everything they've got. And they've certainly done that today. So, that's the most pleasing thing for me. 

DK: A well taken goal at least from Jamie.

TR: Yes. Tev did well, didn't he, in the initial. So, he was back in his more favoured position today. I thought he did well. Harried him (the defender), hustled and made some good runs, stretched him and did really well. And then Jamie's done well. Followed it up and finished well. Jamie's a good player. Jamie's got goals in him.

There's no doubt about that. 

DK: And Tuesday, a similarly tough test against Curzon. 

TR: Again, just outside. I don't know how the results have gone, but they're in and around play-offs, aren't they? So, it won't be easy. No games are easy, like I said. So, yes. I've just got to ask that we get the same off the lads that they've given us today. If they do that, then it'll give us a chance like we've shown today. I don't think you're coming here and watching a massive difference between the teams. I just think we don't seem to get the little details quite right, and off the back of that, we don't get results. 

DK: It's one of those where, especially after today, we need to win or get something Tuesday.

TR: Yes, of course. Games are running out. Like I said, Oxford won, didn't they? Someone said in the changing room. Like I said, I haven't seen the results we're seven points still with five games left. So, yes. We need at least seven, don't we? So, with our goal difference, we need eight. So, we need to win three, four, maybe five games. So, that's what we've got to try and do. We'll keep trying. Like I said, the lads will keep giving everything they've got like they did today. If that's enough, it's enough, and if it's not, then we'll deal with that at the end of the season.