Rangers boss blasts defence

Stafford Rangers are still looking for their first win of the season in the Blue Square Premier after going down 3-2 in a thrilling live TV clash with Halifax last night.

But manager Phil Robinson blasted his defenders - and also hit out at the referee - for costing them the game.

Rangers tossed away a 2-1 lead - the first time they have been ahead in a match this season - after teenager Marco Adaggio had grabbed star billing with a goal, an assist and had another effort cancelled for handball.

Adaggio was also victim of a gaffe by the referee, who penalised him when in the clear and Rangers were 2-1 ahead.

"When your in form centre forward is running away from his marker and he gets pulled up, it beggars belief.

"I thought the referee was very average and some of the decisions he gave were poor."

The official also controversially awarded Halifax two corner kicks, both of which led to goals.

But Robinson was more upset with the way his side defended them: "If a corner is given, we have to defend it better.

"Our second half performance was excellent - apart from a couple of bad lapses in defence which cost us the game.

"We must be able to defend better from set pieces. We conceded two tonight and if you do that, it gives you mountains to climb.

"I don't know whether it was because the tv cameras were here, but we didn't play as we wanted in the first half.

"We made it clear at half time how we wanted them to play. But it shouldn't take the manager getting into them at half time to do that."

Defender Craig McAughtrie found himself dropped to the bench for the first time this season in favour of Djimi Sangare, who was outstanding.

"Djimi came in and was excellent, which we knew he would be, which is why we brought him to the club," said the Rangers boss.

Rangers next game, at Stevenage, has been put back until Monday evening because of last night's fixture, but the players will be in for training tomorrow.