BOSS Jim Gannon believes his side’s indiscipline this season has cost them top spot in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North.

Vics took the lead on Saturday through Mike Roddy, but Nathan Cartman levelled for the hosts and a free-kick from Laurence Hunter eluded everyone to drop into the net and inflict a first defeat in eight games on Vics.

Gary Burnett missed an opportunity to snatch a point when he fired wide after rounding the keeper.

But Gannon insists fourth-placed Vics must eradicate the errors leading to attacking dead balls for opposition sides.

“Poor tackles lead to more self-inflicted injuries, sending-offs, fouls conceded and ultimately goals conceded and games lost,” he said.

“If players manage themselves and show great discipline and control in how they work then the result is that they concede fewer goals.

“We have had a sending-off in our loss at Farsley, conceded a critical penalty at Clitheroe. We also conceded from set-plays at Salford and Harrogate.

“It may be simplistic but those moments have cost us being top of the league.”

Gannon also hopes his side can learn from current world champions Germany.

“They are a good football team but they epitomise the effectiveness of organisation and ruthless efficiency,” he added. “To get to the top we must continue to work hard on the critical aspects of our performance and seek continual improvement.

“If we do that then the lessons of defeat at Station Road might be a valuable experience for us.”

Vics: Deasy (GK), Smalley, Henry, Clarke, Ali, Cook (Gorman 80), Summerskill (Sherratt 66), Roddy (Matthews 62), Dixon, Sanogo, Burnett. Subs not used: Meadowcroft, Smith.