Hurst frustration as FA Cup exit means wait for win goes on for Boston
Boston United head for Eastleigh in the National League on Saturday hoping for an upturn in fortunes after exiting the FA Cup at the first hurdle last weekend.
The 3-1 home derby defeat by county rivals Scunthorpe United in Saturday's Fourth Qualifying Round tie left the Pilgrims with just one win in 11 games, not counting National League Cup matches, and boss Paul Hurst said: “It is getting to a point now where there are only so many times you can repeat certain messages.
“We can get better and we need to get better.
“The performance the previous Saturday against Southend was a positive, but we didn't back that up today.
“I was disappointed in our first half – we looked like the game was too much for us.
“It is hard work at the minute for everybody, and it's certainly hard work for the fans.
“They turn up and want to see their team win, and they're not doing that. That is extremely difficult.”
Two first half goals saw the Iron take control, the first a deflected free kick and the second just before half-time.
The visitors then added a third before a late consolation from Lenell John-Lewis and Hurst said: “We lost the game in that first half.
“At 1-0 we may have been able to get back in it but 2-0 makes it harder and the goal coming just before half-time was really disappointing.
“Second half we had a response but couldn't get that all-important next goal which we knew would be crucial with the run that they have been on as well.
“If we'd got one back I am sure there would have been some nervousness in their team.
“But they scored the third goal – again avoidable.
“After we had made a half-decent start, Scunthorpe came into the game.
“I don't know if it was fortunate or if we could have done more with the free kick in terms of heading it away.
"But it felt like it was an unlucky deflection.
“You have to respond and we didn't. We didn't use any initiative out there in terms of conditions or being more aggressive and understanding where spaces were.
“We had opportunities, some where the final pass was not even a difficult one. Forget defending - the quality on the ball has got to be better.
“The goal we did score came from very simple passes but came far too late.
“I think the experience they had in their team shone through and they capitalised.”