Iron manager Stuart McCall was ‘dejected and disappointed’ following the 3-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the opening ten minutes after goals from Ben Whiteman and Herbie Kane.
In the final five minutes at the Keepmoat Stadium, John Marquis confirmed Rovers’ victory, making it 3-0.
McCall told iFollow Iron: “We’re really dejected in the fact that we were playing against a really good side today with confident players. We’ve given them a leg up with two goals in the first ten minutes. As much as we talk and work, and whatever it may be, we can’t keep giving poor goals away. The first goal was sloppy, albeit lady luck was against us with it taking a deflection and looping in. The lead-up to it was our undoing as well though.
“There was obviously an individual error for the second goal and we were 2-0 down after 10 minutes in a derby when you want to come and put your marker on the game.
“We’re fed up of asking for a reaction at half-time, we came out and knocked on the door, showing a spirit to keep at it, but it was poor defending yet again for the third goal. It’s a sore one but we have to give ourselves a chance in the games. Last week we lost two goals in three minutes and when you’re two down against a top six side like that you’re chasing.
“Between the second and third goals, we stuck at it quite well and made a couple of decent opportunities. Confidence is naturally low but we needed to just stick together and put a performance in. Until we cut out the stupid mistakes we’re not really giving ourselves a chance in a game.
“I thought Dalesy (Andy Dales) at times had the beating of the full-back, while Lundy (Matthew Lund) came close with a couple of chances. They’ve kept four clean sheets on the bounce but you look at us and we’re flimsy, and that’s the difference.
“There’s nothing else you can do. You have to work hard and have personal pride in yourself to be in that team for next Saturday.
“All we ask for is 100 per cent effort and determination. Keep at it, and it will turn. You then get one result and can move forward from it, but we are where we are at the moment and it’s a fight. We’ve got to have fighters in that team and turn it around quickly.”
There was further disappointment with George Thomas and Josh Morris coming off injured.
McCall explained: “We don’t think George is as bad as first feared. We thought it was his knee, as there was a collision of knees, and it’s more of a muscle injury. Hopefully that won’t be longer than a week.
“Unfortunately, Josh is leaving the stadium on crutches. It could be his fibula bone around his ankle, which again is a huge blow. To get him back, to get Jordan (Clarke) back today and Funso (Ojo) not far away after recent injuries has given us a big boost. To see Josh leave on crutches today is a major blow.
“He picked up a knock in the first-half and he carried on playing through it, even though he was a bit sore. He then just planted and heard a pop which is never a good sign. He’ll be x-rayed and scanned.”
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