Demon Knights have dropped to third spot on the Northern Inland Premier League ladder after a draw against Oxley Vale Attunga on Saturday.
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DK shot out to an early, 2-nil lead against the Mushies before errors proved costly and their opponents hit back with a brace to draw level.
“Against OVA we scored in the first five minutes, scored again about 10 minutes after,” DK coach Evan Quaife said.
“We were pretty much in control that whole first-half and couldn't seem to get a third goal to finish them off.
“They just came back with two goals, the last one was schoolboy errors by us.
“That is all it takes in this league, a little error or a mistake and you get punished.”
DK play their last game of the regular season against Norths United this Saturday, with a bye scheduled for round 21.
East Armidale moved into second with their big win against Souths last Saturday and Demon Knights need to beat the Redmen by a big margin and have other results go their way to climb their way back.
“Mathematically we can still do it but we just have to lift up again and start to win some games,” Quaife said.
“Against Norths, they probably haven't had the best season but we can't take them lightly.
“We want to try and win the game first but maybe get a few more goals, boost our goal average a bit, I might change the formation, make us a bit more attacking minded.
“I am a bit undecided but we have nothing to lose so I might have a change for this weekend in formation and see what happens.”
“I don't think we go into any game overconfident but in the last few weeks we have not been at our best for the full 90,” Quaife said.
“We were generally really good against Oxley Vale but just a couple of errors and goals get conceded and you end up with a draw.”
Norths sit second last on the table with a number struggle hampering their season.
While they are out of finals contention, Quaife warned his side against playing with complacency.
“It looks like Norths can't make the finals this year but I am sure they will be keen to try and beat us on Saturday,” he said.
“DK are looking forward to the game against Norths. It is always fiercely contested.
“There is nothing nasty or malicious in the games but keenly contested and bragging rights for whoever wins.
“We have had the two wins over Norths this year so I daresay we should be going in with confidence and see how we go.”