Jamie Proctor on the scoresheet for the Cod Army
Barry Nicholson’s development side continued their good progress with a 1-1 draw against Preston North End at Springfields on Tuesday afternoon.Town dominated most of the proceedings, with first team players Nathan Pond, Danny Andrew, Keith Southern, Antoni Sarcevic and Jamie Proctor all involved.
The game presented Nicholson and the first team management staff with another opportunity to cast their eye over a number of trialists who featured.
The Cod Army were on top for large parts of the first period without really troubling North End’s backline; Antoni Sarcevic and Tyler Forbes going closest for Fleetwood.
However, they got their rewards midway through the second half when Nick Haughton was fouled in the box, and Proctor stepped up from twelve yards to coolly slot his penalty away.
Town keeper Liam Bleeker was then called upon to produce heroics, as he kept out Scott Laird’s penalty superbly to keep his side in front.
The home side pressured in the final few minutes, and found a leveller with the last kick of the game, when a shot from the edge of the box went beyond the dive of Bleeker.
After the game, Nicholson was pleased with his side’s performance for the majority of the game, but admits the last few minutes left a sour taste in the mouth after such a dominant display.
He said: “It was disappointing to concede a goal right at the end because for the first 85 minutes we did really well.
“We’ll go away thinking about those last five minutes and what we didn’t do right as it was a poor goal to concede. It killed is a little bit.
“It was a good run out for some of the first team lads who joined us, and they’ll be happy to get 90 minutes under their belt.
“A couple of the younger lads have joined in with them as well and done really well, but it’s a hard one to take because of the way we played.
“We spoke last week about how sometimes the result isn’t important, but these lads have got to make sure when they step up to the first team that’s when results matter.
“With five minutes to go you’ve really got to go and see the game out, and do everything you can to make sure you win the game.
“I was happy for Liam Bleeker because he made amends for his bad kick leading up to the penalty. He dived the right way and made a good save, so I’m pleased for him.
“He’s done really well though recently and has made a little jump up from the youth team to play these development games.”