IAN Evatt admitted his side struggled to cope without MJ Williams as they crashed out of the FA Cup at Stockport County last night.

The midfielder pulled out of the squad through illness on the eve of the televised first round replay at Edgeley Park through illness.

And his absence clearly had a major effect on the Whites, who twice led by two goals against their National League opponents, but somehow succumbed 5-3 after extra time.

“I think we have all, including myself, asked the question what would it be like when MJ Williams isn’t available, well tonight, you have got the answer,” answered Evatt, who believes the defeat was the worst of his 18 month tenure at the UniBol.

“The two-goal lead, it wasn’t like our play deserved it. Their mistakes gave us the goals.

“From minute one to 120 we were not ourselves.

“We got embroiled in a cup tie. Made it transitional and end-to-end and we didn’t do the basics at all, which means you’ll get beat.”

Worse news may yet to be revealed later today as medical staff check on an injury to Josh Sheehan which forced the Welshman off the field just before half time.

There has been no official word from Wanderers but fears have surfaced that Sheehan could have sustained ligament damage.

“At the minute his knee feels unstable. We have tested it as best as we can and can’t put our finger on anything in particular but the fact that it feels unstable doesn’t necessarily sound good,” Evatt explained.

“We have had illnesses and injuries in the camp but they are just excuses. We just need to be better, work harder and fight more. Today we didn’t do that.”

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