Crawley boss Scott Lindsey rued missed opportunities and also branded his team’s defending a “calamity” after they were held to a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Sutton.
Liam Kelly fired the play-off chasing visitors ahead three minutes before the break, but the hosts hit back with second-half goals from top scorer Charlie Lakin and Olly Sanderson as they chased a vital win in their bid to avoid the drop.
However, Klaidi Lolos rescued a dramatic late point with a stoppage-time equaliser to leave Crawley still holding on to seventh spot, although now only ahead of in-form Doncaster on goal difference having played a game more.
“We missed loads of opportunities to score in the first half,” said Lindsey.
“We created loads, certainly in the first 20 minutes. We could have been three or four [goals] up.
“But we didn’t take those opportunities and chances.”
He added: “I felt in the first half we were OK, but I thought in the second half we wasn’t.
“I think we probably played too direct, it became an end-to-end game. It was probably like that all game, which helped them [Sutton]. They want it to be like that.”
Lindsey was also far from pleased with the two goals his side conceded as they threw away their lead.
“Their first goal, for a start, was never a foul in the build-up,” he said. “The referee [Lewis Smith] got drawn into it, it’s so naive it’s a joke.
“He gives a free-kick and they score. I was disappointed with that goal from an official’s point of view.
“And their second goal is just a calamity again, I don’t know what we’re doing.
“We don’t need to roll the ball out, we just need to take our time at that moment.
“But I felt like we were anxious today with our play, certainly in the second half.
“We came in in front at half-time and we were happy, but we feel as if we can play more.
“But in the second half we didn’t, so I’m disappointed.”
Sutton manager Steve Morison knows his side are all but down despite their battling display.
The club remain second-bottom, three points behind Colchester and with an inferior goal difference of seven goals.
Colchester also have a game in hand and require just one point from their final two fixtures to avoid relegation.
“We’re still in the fight, but it’s out of our hands completely,” said Morison.
“We had to better Colchester’s result, which we did, but we had the life sucked out of us when they scored the second goal.
“They scored a very good goal to go 1-0 up at half-time, so then it was the opportunity to speak to the players at half-time and tell them to give everything they’ve got in the second half, perform better and have no regrets.
“I think they did that in the second half, but I’m so gutted to have conceded [that second goal] in the way we did.
“The players were on their knees at the end, they gave it their all. It just wasn’t quite enough.
“Their goal was frustrating, but I’m really proud of the players’ efforts today.”
Mexico boss Aguirre struck by beer can after Honduras defeat
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was left bloodied after he was struck with a beer can in the aftermath of El Tri's 2-0 CONCACAF Nations League defeat to Honduras.
The can was thrown from the stands and struck Aguirre as he approached Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda for a post-match handshake on Friday.
Celtic winger Luis Palma came off the bench to score both Honduras goals as they seized a 2-0 lead in the teams' quarter-final tie, which will be settled in Toluca on Tuesday.
CONCACAF has said it will investigate the incident, which Aguirre was unwilling to speak about after the match.
"They deserved to win, they were better than us in al areas, I've got nothing left but to congratulate them, and well, to try to lift my team's spirit," said Aguirre.
"The other thing, there's no point in even mentioning it because, well it's football, I'm not one to complain. Their fans made us feel very welcome."
Honduras boss Rueda, meanwhile, said the incident had overshadowed an impressive victory for his team.
"I'm sad because he's a human being. They hit the coach, that can't happen," said Rueda.
Uruguay's last-gasp win over Colombia will 'bring everyone closer', says Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa believes Uruguay's memorable 3-2 win over Colombia in World Cup Qualifying, secured by Manuel Ugarte's 101st-minute strike, will "bring everyone closer".
Former Leeds United boss Bielsa had found himself under pressure, with La Celeste going five matches without victory since finishing third at the Copa America.
However, they climbed to second in the CONMEBOL qualification group – ahead of Colombia on goal difference – by edging a five-goal thriller in Montevideo.
Andres Gomez's 96th-minute strike had appeared to salvage a point for Colombia, but Ugarte volleyed home following a knock-down from Facundo Pellistri mere moments after Uruguay had kicked off again.
Speaking after the dramatic finale, Bielsa said: "Victories like today are healing in the sense that they bring everyone closer, around a feeling as strong as Uruguay's connection with the national team.
"It was a very exciting match, and the players' determination to secure the win was evident.
"They have a well-oiled style of play; they defend, press, manage the ball, and have individual brilliance, which makes them a tough rival to beat.
"It's not easy to win against this opponent, as they have physically gifted, technically proficient players across all positions, many of whom can change the game's dynamics."
Next up, Uruguay face Brazil, with the Selecao languishing in fourth after they played out a frustrating 1-1 draw with Venezuela on Thursday.
Bielsa, however, is under no illusions regarding the magnitude of the task awaiting his team in Salvador on Tuesday.
"If Colombia is an athletically strong team with an offensively capable system that creates danger and has organisation in possession, Brazil has that and more," he said.
"We will try to control the ball in their half and not ours. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we don't, like against Venezuela."
Amorim wants Man Utd players to be inspired by club's history
Ruben Amorim wants his Manchester United players to be inspired by the club's history as he bids to bring a winning mentality back to Old Trafford.
Amorim, taking over at the Premier League club following the departure of Erik ten Hag, was speaking in his first interview with the club after a tour of their home venue.
The Portuguese tactician had visited Old Trafford earlier in the week and met a group of supporters, as well as the women's team's vice-captain, England star Ella Toone.
"When you come [to Old Trafford], it's so different. You see the trophies, you see the tragedy that we have as a club. The history," said Amorim.
The 39-year-old added the manner in which the club defied the odds to succeed under Matt Busby after the Munich air disaster in 1958 should be a particular source of inspiration.
"This kind of strength, I think it's important to put in our team. When the players come here, they should take the stadium tour all the time. I think this is very important to do," Amorim said.
"It's normal if you go a lot of years without winning, you start losing that feeling. So I think we need to put all the players doing the same thing, to regain that feeling.
"We haven't won the Premier League for a long time. But if you ask, United is the biggest club in England.
"So this is part of history, it is not now. So we have to address that, to show that and to try to win again."
Asked what his footballing philosophy is, the former midfielder said it all comes down to being a team.
"The team is the most important thing for me. And if you work as a team, then the talent individually is going to shine," he said.
"But if I have to explain the importance of everything, it is the character, the way we fight, the way we play, and we must have an identity.
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