ANTHONY Sheehan blamed Witton’s embarrassing exit from the FA Cup on his players’ bad attitude.

Albion conceded four goals in the first half during a 5-3 defeat at Runcorn Town, including one inside 15 seconds.

They trailed 4-1 at the break.

“The players let themselves down as well as the supporters,” said the manager.

“Runcorn looked like they played two divisions above us, instead of the other way around.

“I saw people on the pitch who clearly felt it would be a doddle to win.

“It’s in their heads; they’ve lost that game because mentally they weren’t ready for it.”

He said Witton’s defending – their opponents first goal was prompted by Albion losing possession after kicking off – was of schoolboy standard.

The visitors protested that Paul Shanley was offside in the build-up to Town’s second, stopping when they saw the linesman raise a flag.

But referee Paul Ince overruled awarded a goal to Jack Webb, who kicked the ball forward, after he ran on to his own pass to score.

“If my under 11s team defending like we did in the first minute, I’d be furious,” he added.

“We didn’t react; they went through nine players to arrive one-on-one with the keeper.

“The second is no better.

“For me, as soon as their striker starts to move towards the ball, he’s interfering. That’s why the linesman put up his flag.

“That said, we have to play to the whistle.

“We conceded from another set piece for the third despite the delivery not being great. As for the fourth goal, it was a shambles for us.

“I’m not one for shouting because it isn’t necessarily effective in the same way for every player, but I was so annoyed at half time.”

Witton rallied after the interval, closing to 4-3 thanks to an own goal by Chris Lawton and another by Neil Harvey, also on target in the first half to cancel out Webb’s opener.

However they could not conjure an equaliser.

Sheehan said: “We had them on the ropes for a 20-minutes spell, that’s it.

“We had a go, but had given ourselves too much to do. We can’t be giving teams a head-start.

“At 4-3 we had a chance, but we still looked a totally different team to the one that won at Barwell with 10 men [last week].

“The back four were all over the show, our midfield too. And the front two couldn’t do much because the service to them was so poor.

“We showed a bit of fight and a bit of character, but overall were miles from what we’re capable of.”

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