Goalkeeper Rory Watson was left feeling disappointed following the away league encounter against Carlisle United, a game in which he made his return to the starting line-up.
The 25-year-old returned in between the sticks in place of Mark Howard who was missing with a thigh injury and, despite one superb save in the second-half, United were unable to deal with the resultant corner and conceded once more just two minutes later.
Reacting to iFollow Iron after his first league appearance since October, Watson said: “In the first-half, we were okay, but in the second-half we didn’t really get going and found ourselves on the end of a barrage of set-pieces and crosses into our box.
“That’s what they’re good at and we knew that before the game. They’ve scored from two of the set-pieces and that’s disappointing really because there was nothing in the game.”
After soaking up early pressure from the Cumbrians, Scunthorpe grew into the opening 45 minutes and were the only side to test a goalkeeper, with Paul Farman making two fine saves to deny Mason O’Malley and Jordan Clarke.
“Their ‘keeper has made two really good saves and we had the better chances (in the first-half) and limited them to few real chances all game,” he continued.
“We’ve got to do better with the set-pieces; it’s not good enough.”
The shot stopper also reflected on that superb save in the 59th minute which had maintained his clean sheet at the time, before only becoming a temporary reprieve.
“It’s bittersweet. It’s like a striker scoring a goal and it’s offside,” he stated.
“It’s disappointing because it doesn’t really matter anymore, which is annoying. I’m normally my own worst critic, but I don’t think I had much chance with either goal.”
After being left frustrated at being second in command for much of the season, the former Hull City goalkeeper has always maintained his positive attitude around the club - something first team manager Neil Cox has alluded to in a number of interviews throughout the campaign.
Now, having been given a chance in the side, he’s eager to take it: “I’ve just had to work hard and get on with it and try to be a positive influence around the place. It’s personal pride.
“I’ve been working hard on my game, things I need to improve on and trying to get bigger and stronger in the gym. I try and help people around the place wherever I can and I just want to play games.
“I just want to stay in the team now until the end of the season and try and get as many games under my belt as I can. I need to try and put in some good performances.”
With the extent of Mark Howard’s injury not yet known, Watson looks set for a stint in the side against some of the tougher opposition in the division, with United facing a number of sides in the mix for promotion this season.
“They’re the teams that you want to be playing against,” he added.
“I know it’s ifs, buts and maybes, but if we’d drawn a few more games, maybe we’d have been up there. I don’t think there was much between the two sides tonight.
“We’ve got to pick ourselves up and go again. We need the points.”
See much more from Rory Watson on iFollow Iron.