Barton left with mixed emotions after Fleetwood twice battle back for draw

Posted Sunday, January 19, 2020 by PA

Fleetwood boss Joey Barton admits he was both disappointed not to win but also delighted to salvage a point after twice coming from a goal down to draw against Shrewsbury.

The Shrews, who beat Championship side Bristol City in midweek to set up a mouthwatering FA Cup fourth-round clash with Liverpool, went ahead through strikes from Shaun Whalley and Jason Cummings at Highbury Stadium.

However, Fleetwood hit back both times to snatch a 2-2 draw, Lewie Coyle netting in the 49th minute and substitute Josh Morris three minutes from time.

The result leaves Town with only one win in their last eight League One matches, but Barton spoke only positively about his team’s performance.

He said: “Forget the goal we conceded at the end of it, I thought in the first half we were in complete control.

“It was always going to be a tough ask today. Don’t forget Shrewsbury had secured themselves a nice cup tie with Liverpool during the week thanks to beating Bristol City, so we knew they’d be buoyed and full of confidence.

“You could see they came for a draw, though, just by looking at their game-plan.

“It was disappointing to give them a first goal, that was a real comedy of errors, but we spoke to the lads at half-time and told them that they were going to have to climb off the canvas.

“We scored a great goal from Lewie Coyle, and that was a real moment of quality for what was his first goal, but then we go and give them another goal.

“I’m disappointed not to have won the game, but when you come back twice like that, you have to be delighted with a point, weirdly.”

Fleetwood dominated early on with Ched Evans and Wes Burns both missing excellent opportunities.

Despite all their dominance, Fleetwood almost found themselves behind when Whalley thumped a shot against the crossbar.

Whalley made no mistake two minutes later, however, tapping home a rebound after Callum Lang’s initial strike was parried by goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

Town defender Coyle made it 1-1, burying a low shot, before Shrews’ substitute Cummings made it 2-1 in the 81st minute.

Morris evened it up with three minutes left, however, firing home via a deflection.

Shrews boss Sam Ricketts also praised his team, who are now without a win in five league games and next face Jurgen Klopp’s runaway Premier League leaders.

“I can’t fault the players because they produced plenty of quality and endeavour throughout,” said Ricketts.

“We were okay in the first half, and in the second it was end-to-end stuff for both sides, but at the end of it, it is a bit frustrating that we haven’t quite been able to get over the line.

“Jason’s goal late on was a really well-taken one, and at that point you’re looking for your team to go on and take the victory.

“Credit to Fleetwood, though, they came back at us and they’ve got their equaliser.

“I think this result shows how much we’ve improved as a team.

“It was a different story when we played Fleetwood in September (Town won 3-0).

“Since then we’ve made some real progress, and had we taken all of our chances today, we may have been heading home as comfortable victors.”