“Lack of concentration” – Andy Crosby reacts to Port Vale’s defeat to Carlisle Utd

Port Vale manager Andy Crosby says a “lack of concentration” cost his side as they let a one goal lead slip to lose 2-1 to Carlisle United on New Year’s Day.

Vale took the lead through Ben Garrity only for Carlisle to equalise through a penalty and then score a late winner in added time.

A lack in concentration in the 94th minute from a set play. Our record from set plays is the best in the League so to concede from that is obviously very disappointing. Our retention of the ball throughout the whole game was poor…

Crosby told the media that what cost his side was: “A lack in concentration in the 94th minute from a set play. Our record from set plays is the best in the League so to concede from that is obviously very disappointing. Our retention of the ball throughout the whole game was poor.”

The manager also explained his reasoning in replacing teenage duo Ben Lomax and Jack Shorrock at half-time saying: “With the nature of the game, we had two more experienced players on the bench. Those two lads will have learnt so much but I thought it was the right decision to add more experience.”

There are injuries and illness in the Vale camp which reduced the number of players available as Crosby explained: “The two players who went off (Jesse Debrah and Ben Garrity) didn’t train today. We’ve got illness in the camp as well. Jesse’s been struggling since Barnsley with a hip flexor issue. Ben had a calf injury last season and he’s been carrying that for a couple of games. We’ll have to assess the long-term damage for both players. We had the players here who were fit and available. Some were injured, some were ill, that’s the group we had.”

Asked whether the club would act in the transfer window, Crosby said: “We have to get better. We’re looking to make improvements. We’re looking at everything.”