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Page last updated at 09:30 GMT, Friday, 14 May 2010 10:30 UK

Nicky Law backs youthful Alfreton side to bounce back

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law
Law's side have lost out in the play-offs two seasons in a row

Alfreton Town boss Nicky Law will keep faith with his young side next season.

The below-par Reds were beaten 2-1 by Fleetwood Town in Sunday's Blue Square North play-off final.

But Law told BBC Radio Derby: "There's no reason not to stick with this side. They are a young team and I can't see there being wholesale changes.

"We beat ourselves but we've done great to get where we are and I've not changed my opinions of the players, I'm just bitterly disappointed for them."

Law was furious that having got so close, his side failed to find their best form when it mattered most.

The lads are devastated. If we had turned up as we normally do we would have won

Reds boss Nicky Law

The Reds trailed to a goal 10 minutes in and although they improved after the break and levelled with 10 minutes left, an instant reply by the home side was enough to secure the win.

"We beat ourselves. We didn't compete for half an hour, we gave away two very poor goals and you don't give away schoolboy goals and come away victors. It is so disappointing - a real sickener.

"We didn't turn up and didn't win a header for 30 minutes. In the second half, we improved to a certain extent but then conceded another poor goal.

"We have to learn from it, pick ourselves up and have to make sure losing in the play-off final does not cost us next season," Law said. "We have to come back stronger.

"We are probably punching above our weight but we've lost. We've got to the final and won nothing. It's a good achievement to get there but realistically you may as well finish seventh or eight and not have the pain or hurt of losing in a play-off final.

"The lads are devastated. If we had turned up as we normally do we would have won that game. We now have to come back next season and do it all again."



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see also
Fleetwood Town 2-1 Alfreton
09 May 10 |  Non League
Law unfazed by away play-off date
04 May 10 |  Non League


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