Salford boss Karl Robinson was disappointed as his side missed the chance to secure a League Two play-off spot in their 2-2 draw with already-relegated Carlisle.
The Ammies came into the final day of the season knowing that a win would be enough to seal a spot in the play-offs and keep their League One dream alive, but as soon as they went 2-0 down to a double salvo from Stephen Wearne and Matty Dennis, the task went up a notch.
They managed to get themselves level thanks to strikes from Cole Stockton and Hakeeb Adelakun, but despite having plenty of goalscoring opportunities, they couldn’t find the all-important third.
Robinson said: “It’s a feeling of disappointment. I think from the midst of a relegation fight last season to finish one place outside the play-offs, from an outside perspective, would look like you have had a half-decent season.
“Before the game there was a problem on the motorway, we got here 50 minutes before kick-off and our best player of the season goes down after 10 minutes and our left-back comes off at half-time with a hamstring injury.”
Despite their lowly status, Carlisle made it difficult for Salford, particularly in the first half, but the visitors responded well in the second half.
“I thought the mentality and how they responded was excellent, but, yeah, it hurt. In this industry you take it hard, we don’t just turn up and go home and don’t worry about it. That will be a dagger in my heart for a long, long time,” Robinson added.
Carlisle, whose relegation was confirmed last week at Cheltenham, will now face tough questions off the pitch over the summer as they prepare for a first season outside the EFL for two decades.
One of those will be about who leads them in the National League, with speculation mounting over Mark Hughes’ future and the Welshman commented on his future after the game.
“We’ll wait and see, I think everyone has to be a little bit patient,” said Hughes. “I’ve said many times the response from the fans since I’ve come in has been huge. Probably undeserved at times but they’ve certainly made their feelings known today.”
Hughes admitted that the response from Carlisle’s fans, who still came out in their thousands despite relegation already being confirmed, was something that shocked him.
“I’ve never really experienced anything like that,” he added. “I haven’t been involved in too many relegation issues but to actually get relegated and seven days later get cheered off the pitch, that’s not normal. It’s really special, a thing that we all felt today.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Thank you Chiesa What a game !! 🔥Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth Liverpool, Isak & Newcastle Damn, look who’s second already Only the real ones will remember.. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have been drawn in the SAME group as Virat Kohli’s FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2! What was your reaction when you watched that match? Please stay tuned o...
Barcelona eye late move for VlahovicBarcelona could emerge as a surprise destination for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic before the transfer window shuts, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Serie A giants are eager to part ways with the Serbian international, who has just one year left on his deal at the Allianz Stadium. Offloading the 25-year-old now would prevent Juve from losing him on a fr...
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United FC: Premier League Summer SeriesAccording to Fabrizio Romano, several clubs are showing interest in the Mexico captain.FBL-CONCACAF-GOLDCUP-MEX-USAWHAT HAPPENED?Mexico national team captain Edson Álvarez is reportedly expected to depart West Ham before the current transfer window shuts, according to Fabrizio Romano. El Machín joined the Hammers from Ajax...
Chelsea FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier LeagueChelsea boss Enzo Maresca has reiterated his desire to sign a new defender to cover for the injured Levi Colwill.WHAT HAPPENED?After Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will rule him out for much of the season, head coach Maresca urged Chelsea to sign a new centre-back. Those "priority" calls may have fallen on deaf ears as t...
Sesko vs GyokeresThe strikers will be the headline acts in Sunday's blockbuster match at Old Trafford but they could easily have ended up at opposite destinationsCesc Fabregas throwing pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson. Gary Neville scissor-tackling Jose Antonio Reyes. Roy Keane telling Patrick Vieira "I'll see you out there". Peter Schmeichel taking on Ian Wright after having his leg stamped on. It was ...
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BOURNEMOUTHArne Slot says he "would have loved" to have brought on Diogo Jota in a heartbreaking admission following Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday.WHAT HAPPENED?The Reds found themselves in search of a late winner after their two-goal lead was wiped out by a second-half double from Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo on the opening night of the 2025-2...
Arsenal v Newcastle: Pre-Season FriendlyJamie Carragher has made a surprising claim against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, insisting the Spaniard "definitely stole" Martin Zubimendi away from Liverpool. The ex-Real Sociedad midfielder, who had been on the Reds’ radar for over a year, shocked many by snubbing Merseyside in favour of a blockbuster £51 million ($69m) switch to the Emirates thi...
Liverpool signing Leoni: I want to learn from Van DijkLiverpool signing Giovanni Leoni is eager to learn from captain Virgil van Dijk.The former Parma defender joined the Reds on Friday morning ahead of their opening Premier League win against Bournemouth that evening.On the prospect of working with Van Dijk, Leoni said: "For me, he is the best defender in the world and I want to meet him as soon ...
Chelsea tell Borussia Dortmund to get serious about ChukwuemekaBorussia Dortmund have failed with a new offer for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.After a successful loan over the second-half of last season in Dortmund, Chukwuemeka has attracted a new proposal from the Germans.BBC Sport says BVB have made a loan-to-buy offer for the England U21 international this week.However Chelsea have rej...
Fans at Anfield lifted cards to create mosaics in tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. Michael Steele/Getty ImagesLiverpool launched the defense of their Premier League title with a dramatic 4-2 win against Bournemouth on a night when Anfield paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota. Goals from Federico Chiesa (88th minute) and Mohamed Salah (94th) sealed victory after Bournemouth's Antoine Semen...
- 1 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 2 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 3 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 4 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 5 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 6 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 7 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka
- 8 Cristiano Ronaldo showers Georgina with luxury engagement gifts
- 9 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 10 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend