"You can't be making an error like that in a game like that!" Craig Elliott gives his take on goal that saw Boston United's play-off dream ended by Altrincham

Keeper Peter Crook makes high-profile error to settle final...
Peter Crook. Photo: Eric Brown.Peter Crook. Photo: Eric Brown.
Peter Crook. Photo: Eric Brown.

Craig Elliott conceded a 'big error' ended Boston United's promotion dream.

Keeper Peter Crook spilled the ball and gifted Altrincham's Dan Mooney the chance to slot away the only goal of the game as the Robins won today's National league North play-off final.

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That 64th-minute strike - the final ever goal at York Street - was a bitter pill for the Pilgrims to swallow as it swung the finely poised contest in the favour of the Robins.

As Crook's teammates held their heads in their hands, minds were cast back to December's 2-1 FA Cup replay defeat to Rochdale, where another high-profile Crook blunder again cost the Pilgrims.

"I'm not sure what to say, I've been through this with Rochdale," a visibly frustrated Elliott added.

"I don't want to be too hard but we talked at half time about concentration and not making mistakes.

"Unfortunately, that's his job and it's a big mistake.

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"It's a big error. Of course I feel sorry for the lad but you can't be making an error like that in a game like that. That's what's more gutting."

Boston appeared to have edged a tight first half, which saw Tom Platt rattle the outside of the Altrincham post.

But in a game of few chances - when both sides cancelled each other out - the visitors had the better of the second 45, Pilgrims heads dropping after conceding.

"It was a strange game that felt like it had penalties written all over it second half," Elliott added.

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"I thought we played rally well first half, we just needed to find a bit of quality in the 18 yard box.

"We started slow, in the (second half). but I thought there was nothing in the game second half.

"It's just gutting to have lost a game on an error.

"I think that lifts them. We gave away too many fouls, too eager to get back in the game.

"Those fouls stopped any tempo an slowly made the game easier for them."