Point gained, says Poppies boss Cox

Tre Mitford opened the scoring with this effort but it was soon cancelled out as Kettering Town drew 1-1 with Gloucester City at Latimer Park. Pictures by Peter Short

The Poppies were largely on top at Latimer Park on Saturday, but the Tigers held the hosts to a 1-1 draw after Bernard Mensah cancelled out Tre Mitford’s fifth minute opener.

And the Kettering manager said: "If you look at today’s results, which we have just now, it’s a point gained.

"Blyth Spartans lost again and Curzon Ashton drew. Hereford are the only team that are down there that won, which we expect from a club of that size. It could work out to be a very good point.

Paul Cox points the way during Saturday's game

"I’m a bit disappointed that we had the lion’s share of the game in the second half but couldn’t manage to get that second goal."

After injuries to Marcus Kelly and Aaron O’Connor in the week, the Poppies squad is reduced once again.

Cox has moved to bolster the ranks, signing forward Omari Sterling-James on-loan from his former side Mansfield Town.

He admitted: "We probably need a few more additions.

Paul White punches the ball clear during the Poppies' clash with Gloucester

"We’re going to be playing on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, so we’re looking to strengthen.

"We’ll get Michael Richens back on Tuesday and Michael McGrath on Saturday so that will strengthen us a bit.

"Hopefully Marcus Kelly isn’t too far away and can play a number of games before the season finishes.

"We’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed with Aaron O’Connor that he can recover quickly, and we can get him integrated in with the squad again."

The Poppies are back in action tomorrow (Tuesday) night when they welcome Hereford to Latimer Park in a re-arranged fixture.