Trinity can bounce back from late sucker-punch

Defiant Gainsborough Trinity striker Chib Chilaka insisted his teammates would not need picking up from the disappointment of conceding an injury-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Darlington.
Chib ChilakaChib Chilaka
Chib Chilaka

The two points lost to the visitors’ 96th-minute leveller left Trinity, without a win since January, two points from safety ahead of further games against promotion-chasing sides.

But Chilaka said: “We have licked our wounds and we are ready to go again.

“We have got a tough run-in to the end of the season and we are not favourites to win those games.

“But if we keep producing some of the performances we have done, it is only a matter of time until it turns our way a little bit and we take three points — and then maybe another three points.”

Chilaka admitted the Darlington draw, as Trinity fought back from conceding an early goal to lead 3-1 through Matt Wilson, Ash Worsfold and Chilaka before the visitors’ late revival, felt like a defeat.

“You should see the lads in there, they are gutted,” said Chilaka. “It was a hard-working performance, right from the start. Every single one of us left their heart on the pitch, so to be sucker-punched in the 96th minute was gutting.

“But at the same time there was a lot to be taken from that performance. Darlington are a very good team so, despite the sucker-punch at the end, we can all look and say there was a lot to build on.

“There are still plenty of games to go and points to be won.”

Chilaka, who returned from a five-match absence through injury, created Trinity’s second goal and scored the third.

“I was pretty shocked to get the nod from the gaffer,” he said.

“When he read my name out I thought I had got to perform and do something.

“I am happy to be on the pitch and working hard for the team.

“My goal was a bit lucky, but you have got to be in the right places. It came off the bar and was a tap-in — I was very happy about that.”

The striker added: “We have been playing against teams fighting for promotion, and in all of them we have put in good shifts.

“There are lots of positives to take.”

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