Football: Beaten - but I couldn't criticise my players insists Teale.

THE irony was not lost on Burscough player-boss Shaun Teale as he reflected on Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Altrincham.

It was the Linnets' heaviest league reverse at Victoria Park for more than a year and was also their fourth defeat in five games.

But Teale insisted: ``I just don't know how we lost the game.

For 80 minutes, we played Altrincham off the park, and I couldn't have a go at my players at the end because they had played ever so well.

``It was the best we had played for a month.''

Teale admitted that prior to the game, he had been unhappy with the attitude of some of his players. ``I had a pop at some of them for thinking that they were in the comfort zone, and I made it clear that if they carried on like that, they wouldn't keep their places.

``Without naming names at the time, I think they knew who I was referring to, and they went out and did a great job. That is what makes the result so frustrating because everyone put so much effort in.''

Two of Altrincham's goals came in the final few minutes, and Teale reflected: ``We had four men up at the time looking to get something out of the game and we were caught out.

``But I believe that you might as well go for it in circumstances like that. If you are losing 1-0 you might as well lose 3-0, and you have got to put that effort in.''

Making his debut for Burscough was experienced midfielder Paul Burns, 35, who has signed from Accrington Stanley.

``Paul did well, and his experience will give us that bit extra,'' said Teale.