Sandy frustrated at late leveller as 'brilliant' Diamonds are denied win against Anstey
Boss Elliot Sandy hailed AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 'brilliant' performance in their 2-2 draw with Anstey Nomads at Hayden Road on Tuesday night - but admitted to frustration that his team couldn't nail down the win after taking a 2-0 lead.
Bruno Andrade continued his brilliant form to score twice in the opening 25 minutes and put Diamonds in control, but Anstey were handed a lifeline as they made it 2-1 from the penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Diamonds were then holding out until Tejan Thomas was sent-off for a second booking 15 minutes from time, and Anstey took advantage to net an 89th-minute equaliser and secure a share of the spoils.
The draw means Diamonds stay 12th in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, but move to within four points of the play-offs ahead of their trip to Long Eaton United on Saturday.
"That was a brilliant performance and the lads gave absolutely everything," Sandy told @AFCRD. "I have said the squad is as strong as it's been and we have had to call on everybody.
"I am gutted for the boys that they couldn't hold on for the win because I thought they deserved it, for their first-half performance in particular.
"Anstey get a dodgy penalty which I am not happy with, there was a handball by their lad to scoop the ball into his path that was missed, and that gave them a way back into the game.
"Anstey are a top, top side and they showed why they are one of the favourites for promotion.
"They kept piling the pressure on when we went down to 10 men and we just couldn't quite hold out.
"They didn't really break us down, even in the second half, and it has taken them loading everybody forward and the ball landing for the lad to finish.
"I thought we defended really well, we had 10 men for the last 20 minutes, so I am really disappointed we have only got a draw, but in reality a point against Anstey is a good one."