TONY Sullivan has admitted he is frustrated by criticism from fans, saying some have underestimated the difficulty of his task.

The Witton Albion manager watched his side produce their best performance of his brief tenure during yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Workington in the FA Trophy.

“That’s what a Tony Sullivan team looks like,” he said.

“Hard work, effort and commitment are not negotiable and, after taking a lot of flak – some of it fully justified – after losing to FC United, they did themselves justice.

“Not for the first time I’ve had to put square pegs in round holes, but they’ve given me everything.

“It’s all part of a jigsaw I’ve got to piece together, and I’ll need time to do that.

“I’m not stupid; if things haven’t improved a few months down the line, then I’ll accept responsibility.

“I’ve been here six weeks, and in that time we’ve had 45 minutes of amnesia last weekend. Apart from that, I think there has been a massive improvement.

“I’ve read people asking if I’m experienced enough to do this job, doubting if I can sign players or if I have contacts in the game.

“I’ll sign three lads on mega money tomorrow if that’s what people want, but it wouldn’t help Witton Albion in the long-term.

“We have to pick players carefully, ones who want to be here for the right reasons.”

Witton led twice against their Premier Division rivals on Saturday, only for Reds to level as many times.

Phil McLuckie then put the Cumbrians in front before Danny Andrews stunning equaliser followed with a quarter of an hour left.

The teams meet again on Tuesday.

Sullivan said: “Danny’s goal was a massive one for me, I’ll give him a big hug and say thanks.

“I hope it’s a turning point, because if we’d have lost then some of the whispers and rumours might have gotten louder.

“Those are from people who don’t understand just how tough this job is, or what I’ve had to contend with since I came here.”

Leading scorer Neil Harvey asked to leave inside a week, while Josh Hancock was recalled early from a loan spell by parent club AFC Telford United.

Michael Powell has been ruled out for the season’s remainder to recover from knee surgery and three goalkeepers – Ryan Swift, Daniel East and Dean Porter – have sustained injuries.

The club were also forced to transfer list, and subsequently sell, striker Scott Bakkor as a punishment for his off-pitch behaviour.

Sullivan said: “When Workington’s second equaliser went in, I was thinking ‘here we go again’. It was a freak goal, but it makes you question if your luck will ever change.

“I instil in players not to stop, and we didn’t.

“We were strong, and carried on with our job. Danny’s strike was unbelievable, and a reward for that desire.”

To read a report on yesterday's game, click here: http://bit.ly/1xEpSl4