Karl Robinson felt Salford got what they deserved against Fleetwood

Posted Wednesday, October 30, 2024 by PA

Salford manager Karl Robinson felt his side deserved a point from their visit to Fleetwood after substitute Francis Okoronkwo’s late goal secured a 2-2 draw.

Despite taking the lead in the 17th minute following a goal-of-the-season contender from Ben Woodburn, the Ammies found themselves 2-1 down after strikes from Ronan Coughlan and Mark Helm.

But Okoronkwo levelled from a low Kelly D’Mai cross in the sixth minute of added time to deny Fleetwood and extend Salford’s unbeaten run to four League Two matches.

Robinson said: “I thought in the first half we were not great but to go in level at half-time was probably fair but in the second half I thought we were brilliant.

“We worked hard and got what we thought we deserved.

“We made changes at half-time to try and react to a few things that we saw from them (Fleetwood) and the angles of our play had to change as well. I’m really pleased with how we reacted to that.”

Robinson was also keen to praise winger D’Mai, who provided the skill to help lay on the last-gasp equaliser.

He added: “It was real perseverance from Kelly (to set up the winning goal). I thought he was sensational tonight. I’d argue that it was probably his best game in a Salford shirt.”

Fleetwood boss Charlie Adam was hugely disappointed to see his side drop two points in the dying minutes.

Adam said: “We are really disappointed with how it ended. We should have had more control of the game and been able to see it out.

“To concede with the last kick of the ball in the game is devastating really.

“The lads put a lot of energy into it and they fought so hard to get the opportunity (to gain all three points) but ultimately for the equaliser it was a couple of individual mistakes and we ended up getting picked off and a goal with the last kick of the game.”

After a number of injuries hitting the squad in recent weeks, Adam suggested his side were naive.

He said: “Yeah for sure we were a little naive. There certainly is a little bit of inexperience in our backline ultimately though injuries are part of the game.

“It also isn’t just about injuries, it is also moments and mentality and it needs the group to really stand up and we need to keep learning that to avoid more nights like tonight where we lose out on points.”