IAN Street claimed he felt let down after asking his players for proof they believe promotion is still possible, accepting they had not responded.

A 2-1 defeat against Padiham on Saturday, their first at Barton Stadium since the turn of the year, means they will fall 11 points from the table’s summit if Atherton Collieries win a game in hand.

“We’ve a mountain to climb now,” said the 1874 Northwich manager.

“I was expecting a big reaction, but there wasn’t one.

“I wanted to see how much hunger we felt, and whether we had the desire to challenge, and there just wasn’t enough evidence of that.

“We were flat after losing to Colls, but this was an opportunity to put that disappointment behind us.”

Forced to make four changes to due absences through injury and unavailability, 1874 led at the break thanks to Sam Hare’s goal despite largely being second-best to their guests.

The hosts improved in the second period, only to gift the Storks an equaliser when James Dean pounced on poor control by Matthew Woolley before sending Kieron Pickup clear.

The front man doubled his personal tally following another defensive disaster nine minutes later when Mark Jones slipped.

“They got back into the game through our own daft mistakes,” said Street.

“I asked the lads at half-time to raise their intensity, and to be fair they did.

“I felt confident we would go on to win the game after coming through an early spell when they created one or two openings.

“But we’ve been caught out taking a chance, and it’s given them a massive lift.

“The second goal was beyond belief really – first Joe Woolley slipped, then Mark [Jones] lost his footing too.

“After that, you’re hoping for a miracle and that Greg will make a save.”