Kevin Wilkin rues 'costly errors' in AFC Telford United draw

Kevin Wilkin says AFC Telford United “deserved to win the game” but admitted that “errors ended up costing” them in their 2-2 draw against Hebburn Town at Bucks Head.

Campbell Darcy provided the breakthrough for Hebburn in the 33rd-minute, after Matt Curley’s cheap giveaway led to a quick breakaway.

Remi Walker equalised for the Bucks on 71 minutes and Jamie Meddows fired them into the lead just six minutes from time.

Wilkin: ‘Errors have ended up costing us’

Another error led to a heartbreaking late equaliser for Hebburn when Matt Cornish pounced to set-up Jake Charles to score.

“Obviously we changed the system. I think we gave more of an account of ourselves than we've come to expect, certainly through last season, where we've managed the ball better and been, I think, more in control of the game,” boss Wilkin said.

“I think it was difficult playing with the winds to our faces in the first half, but I think after the opening 10-15 minutes, we kept Hebburn quiet.

“Like I say, we largely managed the ball throughout the game, and off the back of that I would say I think we deserved to win the game, albeit, again, errors have ended up costing us and allowed the opposition to go and score two goals.”

That late equaliser denied the Bucks back-to-back wins in the National League North and leaves them in 21st-place.

‘To not see it through is frustrating and disappointing’

Although they have amassed four points from their past two games, Wilkin has warned them of the importance of picking up wins, even if he does recognition that the group are working hard.

“Some of the others are working hard and trying hard, finding that moment,” he continued.

“They will do in time, but we need it right here, right now; that's what we need.

“Lads are working really, really hard and having a right go, and when you get into the position we do, probably in and around 90 minutes, to not see it through then is frustrating and disappointing.”

“We have to move forward. You could wind it back and say, OK, four out of six [points] in the last two games. Would you have settled for that? Probably with the position we're in, but when you're in a winning position in both games, you need to see it through.”

Wilkin hails goal scorer Meddows on his injury return

Meddows made his comeback from injury after over two months on the sidelines and marked his emergence from the bench with the second goal.

Wilkin said it’s important to welcome Meddows back and also praised fellow goal scorer Remi Walker for his contribution.

“I make no secret that we don't have another Jamie Meddows in the group, with the greatest respect,” he added.

“Remi equally was a mainstay of the team last season when we found a real consistency about us, and I've long rattled on about us needing Jamie back in the group.

“He’s a big player; he’d been on for 30 minutes and came up with a massive goal for us there today, and he has that ability to go and do exactly that.”