TIM Ream went from a push in the back to a kick in the teeth at the DW Stadium.

While the American cried foul in the build-up to Martyn Waghorn’s late, late equaliser at the DW Stadium – he had no complaints about the rollocking received after the final whistle for what was another sub-par performance on the road.

Neil Lennon was less than impressed with dropping another two points in injury time and wasted no time illustrating his point in the dressing room.

But while Ream felt aggrieved that referee Nigel Miller did not spot Waghorn’s foul, he understood his manager’s annoyance.

“I don't miss headers on purpose and I had that one lined up pretty good, instead I got a good forearm in the back,” complained the defender.

“But I have said since coming here you have got to roll with the punches. He (Lennon) is throwing punches right now, but so be it.

“We are not seeing out games and the manager is in a position where he is trying to build for next season and trying to see what his best team is. And us not doing our jobs until the very end has got to be even more frustrating for him than it is for us.”

Lennon wanted three points before he was fully confident of Championship football next season – but accepted the 10-point gap maintained between Wanderers and Wigan probably does the job already.

For a brief spell after the manager’s arrival it seemed a run to the play-offs could be on the cards, expectations long since checked.

One of the major issues in recent months has been the tendency to concede late goals, a habit Ream is at a loss to explain.

“For whatever reason, not concentrating until the final whistle is blown, we have dropped points,” he said.

“We would be pretty much safe if we hadn't have done. A lot of guys think we are safe but we want to pick up as many points as possible and really guarantee safety. You look at points dropped, it is a heads scratcher.

“We didn't start the season strongly but we are looking to finish it strongly, really get something going to build on for the start of next season. Dropping points is definitely frustrating."

Wanderers have some extenuating circumstances for their dip in form, not least the loss of key players like Darren Pratley, Mark Davies, Max Clayton and Zach Clough to injury.

“You can't use that as an excuse every game,” Ream argued. “It is hard to see so many guys on the treatment table having to miss out on games. But it is part of the business and guys have come in and stepped up in different ways.”

The lingering contractual issues involving first-teamers like Matt Mills, Emile Heskey and Eidur Gudjohnsen, or the influx of loanees in the squad are other potential reasons for instability – but, again, Ream refused to hide behind them for recent inconsistency.

"It's not really been discussed among the guys,” he said.

“Everyone knows the situation. When all the loans came in, it was a strange feeling but now we are pulling in the same direction and for the same cause, which is to get points to guarantee our spot in the Championship next season.”

Ream is relatively pleased with his own form this season, however, having made more starts than anyone else in the squad.

“For the most part I am pleased with my performances but it is not about me, it is about the team.

“Giving away so many late goals is one of the most frustrating things players have to deal with. So, my own form is all for nothing if we are not picking up wins.”