Badgers' draw leaves title rivals Boston as the real winners

Peter Duffield admitted there was only one winner after his side's 1-1 draw with league leaders Bradford Park Avenue this afternoon – and that was title rivals Boston United.

The Retford United boss watched his side earn a deserved point at Cannon Park thanks to a seventh-minute goal from striker Neil Harvey.

But with UniBond Premier Division contenders Boston beating bottom club Durham City 4-1, Duffield was well aware of the possible consequences of not taking all three points.

"The real winners today are Boston," Duffield said after the game.

"We've both drawn so they're the real winners, but they (Bradford Park Avenue) are a far bigger club than us in stature, in finance, in everything, but we have now taken four points off them this season.

"If you had said to me at the beginning of the season would you be happy taking four points off Bradford, then yes, I would have said delighted.

"We now have a chance of taking six points off Boston, and again, they're a massive club compared to us. I don't shout my mouth off much about money and budgets but maybe I should because other managers do.

"But these clubs are far, far bigger on the pitch and off the pitch than we will possibly ever be, but we are punching our weight with them which is brilliant.

"I have a small squad. I had Darryl (Thomas) and Harv (Neil Harvey) full of flu and little Tommo (Lee Thompson) is full of flu and you could see that in their breathing especially Darryl who was really struggling.

"But they have gone out there and they have given everything they've got – I couldn't be any more proud."

One of the biggest crowds of the season (547) at Cannon Park saw an entertaining top-of-the-league clash which produced a number of goal-mouth incidents in the first half.

The league leaders hit back in the 25th minute, but the goal was somewhat fortuitous after Retford keeper James Lindley was wrong footed when a shot was deflected off Retford skipper Michael Simpkins.

"I think over the 90 minutes 1-1 was probably a fair result." added Duffield.

"I think in the first 20 minutes we could have won the game, we had enough chances and that's disappointing. They scored from a fluffy goal, a deflection and again that's disappointing.

"But they had the best of it in the last 10 minutes when I suppose we were hanging on a little bit, but, overall, I am happy with the attitude of the players, I am happy with the desire. I just think if we'd have got another goal or two in the first 20 minutes we would have seen the game out."

Retford now look to Tuesday night's home clash with Boston United in a game which is now even more significant.

Log on to thisisretford.co.uk for Duffield's reaction and analysis immediately after Tuesday's game.