Gosport boss Gale ‘massively disappointed’ with home Southern League draw against lowly Harrow

A poor second half performance ended with a stoppage-time penalty that saw valuable points slip from Borough's grasp.

The home side’s task wasn't made any easier when they lost both their strikers before the game.

Matt Paterson and Dan Wooden were both ruled out by groin strains and they joined Jordan Rose and Josh Huggins sat in the stand.

Borough manager Shaun Gale admitted it was a 'chalk and cheese' performance from his injury-ravaged squad.

'I am massively disappointed because it was a game of two halves,' he said.

'In the first half we were great and should have been four goals up.

'We totally dominated them and destroyed them in the first 45 minutes, but didn't punish them enough.

'After the break we defended for 45 minutes and didn't do the things that you need to do to win matches.

'It was such a contrast between the two halves it was unbelievable.

'We have got to do the horrible side of things better.

'I had some harsh words afterwards but we have to stick together as a squad.

'When teams have their spell in a game we need to be braver.'

Borough were boosted by the return of experienced pair Theo Lewis and Mike Carter from injury.

Lewis made an instant impact, scoring both Borough goals.

Gale knew, however, lack of match fitness meant the pair would never last 90 minutes and both were substituted just after the hour mark.

The home side made a strong start and it took outstanding saves from goalkeeper Daniel Purdue to deny Lewis and Aaron McCreadie.

Lewis broke the deadlock on 22 minutes after controlling an inch-perfect ball over the top by Rory Williams.

Though his first shot was blocked by Purdue, Lewis volleyed the rebound in from a tight angle.

Harrow equalised with virtually their first serious attack on 41 minutes.

The home defence were caught square and Anthony O'Connor fired his shot across Pat O'Flaherty into the bottom far corner.

On the stroke of half-time Lewis powered in a header to restore the hosts’ lead.

Despite their off-colour second half, Borough looked like holding on for the win until Matt Casey brought O'Connor down in the area.

Liam Ferdinand easily sent O'Flaherty the wrong way to earn his team a deserved point - only their second in six league games.

'We were very flat in the second half and it was a totally different game,' said Gale.

'The ball was given away far too cheaply and it was very disappointing.

'In a nutshell we played as a team in the first half and as a team of individuals in the second half.

'That sums it up and we lacked leaders out there in the second half.'

The game attracted a crowd of 490 - Borough's largest league crowd of the season.

Gosport: O'Flaherty, Williams, Carter (Storey 61), Woodford, Tarbuck, Lewis (Ragguette 66), Suraci, Casey, Kavanagh, Oxlade-Chamberlain, McCreadie.