A BITTERLY disappointed Dino Maamria said his Burton Albion side struggle to get on top of the conditions in the second half of our Emirates FA Cup defeat at Grimsby Town.
A deflected strike with just over 10 minutes to play separated the sides at full-time, with Grimsby moving into the fourth round of the tournament.
Both sides had to handle tricky conditions with heavy wind and rain affecting proceedings, particularly in the second half, with Town coming out strongly and Albion defending resolutely until the late goal.
Maamria was disappointed with Albion's second half display, saying his side came out second best in that battle and that the hosts played the conditions better after the restart.
"I thought the first half we dominated without creating any clearcut chances," said Maamria.
"The second half was difficult because the wind was blowing, the rain and the pitch was difficult. They played the conditions really well.
"The goal we conceded was a deflection, a shot from the edge of the box, and I knew today was going to be really close, a battle more than anything else and knowing the pitch. We came second best in the battle.
"The minute they scored that goal we knew it was going to be difficult. We had some moments where we could have capitalised on having Jonny wide but we didn’t.
"Overall I’m bitterly disappointed. Fair play to Grimsby - they showed a lot of courage in the second half and battled really well for their team."
Maamria was however pleased with the performance of debutant goalkeeper Jordan Amissah, who looked assured and distributed the ball well in his Brewers bow.
"Jordan was fantastic, his distribution was really good, he was calm," said Maamria.
"That shows exactly why, in a big game, we put him in. He wasn’t fazed and he put in a solid performance.
"There weren’t that many chances in the game and we knew it would come down to a set play or a deflected goal, and it came down to a deflected goal."
Albion's focus now turns entirely to Sky Bet League One, with Shrewsbury Town the visitors to the Pirelli Stadium next week, and is looking to bring new faces into the club.
"It’s been difficult with the transfer window opening as we have had three games in seven days, and it’s been a challenge to get bodies in with the focus on the league and the FA Cup, but that’s the job," said Maamria.
"We didn’t deserve to go to the fourth round after the second half performance today. It’s done and now it is total focus on the league and the transfer market to give us a fighting chance."