Lowestoft boss Gallagher hails win over promotion rivals

Lowestoft Town joint boss Ady Gallagher hailed the way his side dug in to hang on to their 2-1 victory at AFC Hornchurch on Saturday.

Two early goals from Dale Cockrill provided the platform for the Blues to secure three crucial points over their promotion rivals.

Gallagher's men had to withstand a spirited fightback from the hosts in the second period but he was delighted at his side's show of character.

'We were really good early on and adjusted to the conditions well,' said Gallagher, whose side take on Maidstone United at Crown Meadow tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Ryman League Premier.

'I think we showed the two sides of our game in the second half. We showed how much we wanted the three points.

'We have always been a very hardworking side that's prepared to dig in when necessary and teams are always going to have times when they are on top of you, particularly away from home.

'But we coped with it really well and we were still a threat ourselves.'

Scott Mitchell's second half dismissal made Lowestoft's task that much harder but Gallagher believes the midfielder can count himself unlucky to have seen red.

'He should have had a free kick just prior to the incident,' he said. 'In my eyes it was just a very strong tackle, although he did catch the player.

'I think it was the reaction of the other players more than anything that got him sent off, which is disappointing. Mitch is not that sort of player.'

Gallagher is still at a loss where the officials found 10 minutes of injury time, which had Lowestoft's travelling contingent biting their finger nails.

'The amount of injury time was ridiculous. There was an incident where their goalkeeper clashed with one of their own players which held the game up but it was nowhere near enough to justify the 10 minutes.

'I've never known that sort of added time before. But there was no panic from the lads and we were still strong in that period.'