Manager Dave Challinor was left frustrated after Stockport’s goalless draw at home to managerless Swindon.
County slipped to second, behind Mansfield on goal difference, with the two dropped points and Challinor admitted, given the chances they wasted, they had only themselves to blame.
He said: “It was a frustrating afternoon for us.
“We should have won the game with all the opportunities we created but if you don’t take your chances then the eventuality is you’re not going to win games. That’s the unfortunate case.
“We created a lot of chances and that will give me some positivity – not at the moment but when I come to reflect on it it will.
“Because we have created good chances, you have to have that steely composure to be able to put one of them away and then the complexion of the game changes.
“Whether the outcome of the game changes I don’t know. I think we just have to do a little bit more so we’ll take our point and move on.”
The draw extended Stockport’s winless run to four games and Challinor conceded it is a mini slump in terms of results but challenged the squad to turn it around and get back on track for a title bid.
He added: “I’d say we’re in a bit of a slump but what difference does that make?
“If you look in the press, look at social media and read opinions they won’t change massively and if it affects the players then we’re in a bit of trouble.
“I don’t think it will, we have to be thick-skinned, stick our shoulders back, chest out and say ‘I’m a good player’.”
Swindon’s interim head coach Gavin Gunning was delighted to take a point from the side that started the day in top spot in League Two and hinted better times are to come for the Robins.
He said: “It was a great performance. We were solid when we got behind the ball, we transitioned well.
“A couple of times we didn’t make the right decision and a couple of times we didn’t show composure in front of goal.
“Instead of being one point it could have been three but coming to Stockport and getting a clean sheet is fantastic for the team.
“We condensed the space well against a fantastic side, one of the best in the league, so we knew it was going to be a tough game but I’m really proud of the lads.
“Obviously we had some chances where we should have shifted it and finished it but it’s a great point.
“We have been giving away some not great goals but when you come to the league leaders and you keep a clean sheet you can only be proud of the lads.
“They dug in well, we had to change the shape because of the personnel we had, it was squad effort and I’m very proud of them.
“We are where we are and that’s unfortunate. Has it been a great season? No. But where you finish is where your performances put you.
“I envisage some very positive results soon and I look forward to that.”
Girona 0-1 Villarreal: Traore strike lifts Yellow Submarine
Bertrand Traore's goal gave Villarreal a 1-0 win at Girona on Tuesday that prevented the hosts from reclaiming second spot in LaLiga.
Girona, who have enjoyed a superb campaign, are third with 75 points, trailing Barcelona, who moved a point clear with a 2-0 home win over Real Sociedad on Monday.
Alexander Sorloth and Goncalo Guedes went close for Villarreal in the first half, but Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga was in fine form.
Traore broke the deadlock in the 59th minute after latching on to a superb pass from Guedes, however.
Viktor Tsyhankov, Savio and Artem Dovbyk all went close for Girona, but could not find the back of Filip Jorgensen's net.
Villarreal were reduced to 10 men in the 95th minute after Kiko Femenia was sent off for a second yellow card after a push on Aleix Garcia.
Data Debrief: Rare home loss for Girona
Girona have suffered only their second defeat at Montilivi in LaLiga this season, following a 0-3 loss to Real Madrid in September.
The home side attempted 749 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in LaLiga this season.
Minnesota United v LA Galaxy: Berry hails veteran Caceres
Miguel Berry was the hero last time out for the LA Galaxy, but he hailed veteran defender Martin Caceres.
Berry scored in the dying seconds as the Galaxy salvaged a 2-2 draw with Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake at the weekend.
It was a point that saw Galaxy maintain the two-point gap between themselves and RSL, with Minnesota United – who sit second in the West – next up for Greg Vanney’s team.
Berry’s last-gasp equaliser sparked wild celebrations, and Caceres – the former Juventus defender – was heavily involved, despite being a substitute.
And Berry was quick to point out the 37-year-old’s importance to the Galaxy’s squad.
“[Caceres] is one of those people who makes your day better every single day. He's incredibly funny and unique and he's had a great career, and he's such a big part of the group,” said Berry, in quotes reported by The Galactic Tribune.
“For him to celebrate like that with us shows how much it means. He's played Champions League finals, won Champions League finals and played four World Cups. It's incredible, guys like that, celebrate with the team, means a lot.
“It's obviously a great feeling as a team to have those moments and when you look back on your career and your life, those are the moments that stick with you.”
The Galaxy have drawn their last two games, while Minnesota head into Wednesday’s meeting on the back of three straight wins.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Teemu Pukki
Pukki has scored five goals in his first two matches against LA Galaxy, the sixth player in league history to score five or more times in his first two matches against a single opponent and the first to do so against the Galaxy.
LA Galaxy – Riqui Puig
Puig recorded the primary assist on both of the Galaxy’s goals on Saturday, setting up strikes for Gabriel Pec and Miguel Berry. Puig’s 10 primary assists for the Galaxy have set up goals for nine different players with Gaston Brugman the only teammate he’s set up more than once.
MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA WIN
Minnesota have won three consecutive matches for the first time since August 2022. The Loons’ only winning streak of longer than three games in all competitions was a seven-match run in June-July 2019.
Dating back to last September, the Galaxy have lost only four of the last 10 matches in which they trailed by multiple goals (W2 D4), including losing only one of four this year (W1 D2).
Galaxy have won six of their first eight meetings with Minnesota United (D2, including playoffs), but have won just one of the six meetings (D2 L3) since.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 53%
LA Galaxy – 21.7%
Draw – 25.3%
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
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