Elliott Bennett spoke to the media following our defeat at Portsmouth.
Town put in a mature and organised performance at Fratton Park only to fall to an unfortunate 3-1 defeat.
The hosts had lady luck smiling on them in the first half when Chey Dunkley turned a dangerous cross from Conor Shaughnessy into his own net.
Jordan Shipley then equalised with a fine finish following some excellent work from Dan Udoh and Taylor Perry.
But on the stroke of half-time, the hosts were given a controversial penalty when Kusini Yenghi went down in the box despite not being touched by Carl Winchester.
Speaking to the assembled media, Elliott discussed the game as well as the penalty incident.
And the midfielder also gave his thoughts ahead of the final four matches of the campaign.
On the game:
“I think it’s a case of what might have been.
“We came here with a game plan, a good game plan. And I felt we frustrated them for long periods even though we did concede early.
“We scored a really well-worked goal and it’s never been a penalty in a million years – I'm right next to it.
“I said that to the referee a number of times. I told their player what I thought of his decision to go down on the floor.
“And you always know from another player’s reaction – if they don’t bite back or say it’s a penalty. He’s just smiled at me.
“It was a bit of a kick in the teeth because it meant we were 2-1 down right on the stroke of half-time.
“We had some words at half-time about what we could do better. I felt we did that in the second half.
“We created a couple of chances as well – if we take one of them it is 2-2 and who knows what is going to happen.
“They are going to be edgy because they are going for the title.
“But we didn’t score.
“And then the third goal is disappointing from our point of view.
“It was frustrating. Disappointing. But if I’m honest, I think we have come here with a game plan and carried it out against the best team in the league if you look at the table.”
On Jordan Shipley’s goal:
“It was a really good goal. We didn’t have many passages in the first half where we got into those areas.
“Shipperz was there to put it in and in the second half we had a couple more opportunities.
“When you come away to the top of the league, you have to hope that you don’t make any mistakes, the referee doesn’t give a penalty that’s not a penalty.
“And then when you get your opportunities you have to take them. Unfortunately, one thing has gone against us and we haven’t helped ourselves in the other department.
“It’s disappointing but it was a better performance than on Monday (the draw at Bristol Rovers).
“But we haven’t come away with any points and that’s the frustrating thing.”
On Elliott being back in the starting XI:
“I am always around the place, trying to train well and trying to be a good character for the gaffer.
“I’m always here to help the lads, give them any advice if they need it.
“I got an opportunity today which I’m thankful to the gaffer for, unfortunately, I couldn’t make enough of a difference that we didn’t lose the game today.
“But I’m happy to contribute in any way I can, whether that’s starting, coming off the bench, or being on the bench and not getting on.
“I just try to be around the lads helping in any way I can.”
On the last four games of the season:
“We need to get points. It’s not done. It’s in our hands, we have got four games and there are 12 points on offer. How many can we get?
“Since the gaffer has come in, performances have been better. I think everyone would tell you that in the dressing room.
“I think the fans watching, the ones that have travelled all this way, would say we have come with a game plan and they could see what that game plan was.
“We didn’t just sit in for 90 minutes and hope we get beat 3-0 instead of 5-0, we have had a good go at it.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t come away with any points. But it was good to be involved in.
“It’s always horrible when you lose games of football, but we have got four games now to concentrate on and see how many points we can get before the end of the season.
“It’s important for individuals, it’s important for the club to get as many points as they can.
“And also going into the summer for the manager, it’s nice to end the season as well as you can and give you that feel-good factor going into next season.”
