Daisy Hill had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at AFC Blackpool on Saturday, on their return to action in the North West Counties League First Division North.

An early goal from Lee Grimshaw gave Daisy a half-time lead, but the main talking points arose in the second half with three penalties being awarded, one for Daisy and two for AFC Blackpool. all of which were hotly contested.

Daisy’s penalty came midway through the second half which Jake Parker converted to give his side a two-goal lead, but AFC Blackpool hit back with striker Ben Duffield converting two penalties in the space of seven minutes, either side of a strong Daisy claim for another spot-kick after an apparent handball from a Jack Coop shot.

Despite losing a two-goal lead, Daisy joint-manager Matt Barnes insisted he and fellow manager Leighton Mills were happy with the performance.

“There were far more plusses for us than negatives,” said Barnes.

“In the first half I thought we were superb, and to be fair, over the whole game I thought we were the better side.

“After AFC Blackpool scored the second penalty they got a bit of momentum, which you’d expect a home side to do, coming from 2-0 down. But I think our back four and goalkeeper dealt with everything that came in.

“We said to the lads after the game that they did everything we asked of them, they showed bravery and desire, and the application they showed on an off the ball was excellent.

“But sometimes, you do your best and you get decisions going against you.

“For me, the referee has made some poor decisions, one of which was not giving a stonewall penalty for us, which would have been one of the easiest he would give all season.

“His explanation to me after the game for not giving it wasn’t clear, and I question that decision and the decisions for all the other penalties.

“If I was AFC Blackpool’s manager I would be questioning the decision to give our penalty, too.

“There were three penalties in the game, and with all three of them you have to say ‘were they penalties?’, and then one incident where probably everyone in the ground thought it was, and it wasn’t given.

“But we can’t dwell on that, we now have 18 league games left, and 18 cup finals.

“If we apply ourselves in those games like we did today, and we get decisions in our favour, we will be up there challenging, and our focus now is on our next league game against Euxton Villa on Monday, which is a massive game for us.”

Daisy have no game on Saturday, and are back in action on Monday when they host Euxton Villa at New Sirs in the league (7.45pm).