John Askey: I got it wrong

Askey opted to start with a 4-4-2 for the first time this season to combat the treacherous weather conditions on the Fylde coast.

But Salop did not get to grips with the system as their hosts, also playing 4-4-2, shot into a 2-0 lead after an insipid half hour. While the boss admitted he got the system wrong, he said there were no excuses for his side's lack of effort and commitment.

After raised words at half-time and a switch to the familiar 4-3-3, Town were much improved and clawed a goal back through Josh Laurent but couldn't find an equaliser.

Askey, whose side are winless on the road after seven away game, said: "I'm just disappointed in myself really. I thought we set up wrong with the 4-4-2 to start off with.

"Having said that it doesn't excuse a lack of effort for the first 30 minutes. We didn't compete, win enough tackles or headers.

"As you can tell for the wind and the rain we're not able to play pretty football. That was one of the reasons to play 4-4-2, to get the ball forward.

"But we didn't do that in the first half. Once we changed to a 4-3-3 it was a different game. We were unlucky in the end, despite the 30 minutes, not to get a draw.

"It was the conditions, the wind. You can't play that much. But we didn't get the ball that much to get it forward.

"I'm disappointed that I got it wrong. But we still should have competed better."

The boss insisted he should not have to raise his voice at half-time for Town to wake up.

He added: "It (the first goal) was through letting people run and not dealing with the first cross but it shouldn't have come in.

"The second goal their seven has run through three of our players and the cross come in for an easy finish.

"I was very disappointed in the manner of the goals but at that stage we weren't competing.

"You saw the reaction after half-time, I shouldn't have to bawl and shout at people to get us going but that's what it took today, but I can't remember them doing too much after."