We got what we deserved, says furious Poppies boss Cox

Altrincham score their second goal in Kettering Town's 2-0 defeat at Latimer Park. Pictures by Peter Short

The Poppies boss kept his players locked in the home dressing-room at Latimer Park for 40 minutes after they were beaten 2-0 by play-off chasing Altrincham before emerging to deliver a damning verdict on their display.

Two first-half goals sealed the deal for an impressive Robins team but Kettering, who have been in such good form since Cox’s arrival, were sorely off the pace and failed to register a single attempt on target in the second half as they slipped to a second successive defeat.

And, with survival in the Vanarama National League North far from guaranteed, Cox was forced to deliver a few home truths after the final whistle.

Paul Cox was left furious by his team's performance

“It was men against boys and it’s the first time I have had to say that for an entire game,” the furious Poppies boss said.

“We were second best all over the pitch and nothing like the standards the players have set themselves.

“That’s not us and thank goodness there is a game on Saturday (at home to Curzon Ashton) so that we can try to get that out of our system.

“It was flat from start to finish and it won’t be tolerated.

“I had to say a few things afterwards. We talked in there about our DNA, the way we are and the work ethic and the way we are morally, basically everything that has taken us on a good run.

“Sometimes you can stand still and admire what you’ve done and I have reminded them that we can’t stop to admire anything.

“I have reminded them we are still in a relegation battle, reminded them that the surface we play on isn’t brilliant and reminded them that some of them are playing for their futures.

“There is nothing I can say positive about the game. I can’t say that we passed the ball well or that we battled and I can’t say we were unlucky because we weren’t.

“We got what we deserved and that hurts.”