Defeat is 'a tough one to take' for Diamonds boss Peaks

Diamonds returned to action for the first time in three weeks as they took on one of their fellow contenders in the race for the BetVictor Southern League Premier Central play-off places.

After a goalless first half, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock through Kairo Mitchell just before the hour.

But Diamonds missed a golden opportunity to draw level when Nabil Shariff saw his penalty saved after Tom Lorraine had been fouled in the area.

And a disappointing day was capped when Jesse Akubuine was sent-off after picking up two yellow cards in as many minutes.

The result leaves Diamonds two points off the top five with 13 games to go and they are one of a whole host of clubs who will fancy their chances of breaking into the play-off places over the next couple of months.

And while he knows nothing was won or lost by this game, Peaks was left frustrated by the final outcome.

“It’s a very disappointing result because we wanted to get something out of it and we are frustrated because we should have come away with something,” the Diamonds boss said.

“We dominated most of the game a team who usually create a lot of chances but they created very little and we have conceded a sloppy goal.

“Then their goalkeeper has made a couple of decent saves and we have missed a penalty so to come away with nothing is a tough one to take.

“I don’t think there was any rustiness, I don’t think we can blame that. The fitness levels were good and we looked sharp enough.

“We could have been a bit better in the final third but we played against a decent team on their pitch and, on chances alone, we should have won. Unfortunately, games are decided in the penalty areas and we were not quite good enough in either of them at crucial times.

“It’s one game and we have to pick ourselves up. I said to the boys afterwards that if they put as much into the next 13 games then we will get enough results to ensure a good finish to the season.

“Nothing has been won or lost by this game. The annoying thing is that we could have been a few points better off than we are.

“There are 13 games left and there will be twists and turns. There is no drama.”

Diamonds take on another of the play-off contenders next weekend when they entertain Rushall Olympic at Hayden Road.