'Desire and hunger' delights Dean as Brackley fight back for point at Spalding
Boss Gareth Dean hailed Brackley Town's 'character, desire and hunger' after they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Spalding United on Tuesday night.
The Saints looked to be heading for a third straight Enterprise National League North defeat as they fell 2-0 behind to the Tulips, with the second goal from Joseph Nyahwema netted on 58 minutes.
But the introduction of DJ Sturrdge as a substitute on the hour would prove to be a masterstroke.
Within four minutes the striker had halved the deficit as he applied the finishing touch to a flowing team move, and then three minutes later he was on target again.
This time Sturridge kept his cool to slot home from the penalty spot and make it 2-2, which was how it stayed.
"I am really pleased with the finish to the game, the fight the character, and to come away with a point after going 2-0 down is huge," Dean told @BrackleyTownFC.
"It would have been easy to just roll over and accept defeat, but I am really proud of how they have dug in.
"Our game management wasn't great in certain moments, but it is great to see the players' character, desire and hunger to get back into the game and then take the fight to Spalding as well."
And Dean also had some extra words of praise for Sturridge, although he admits he may not be on his two-goal striker's Christmas card list at the moment.
"DJ will have felt aggrieved not to start the game, but he has come on and had a huge impact," said Dean.
"He was really bright, he worked the sides, he was physical and was a presence.
"He has pace to burn and I am really proud of him.
"He can also be as grumpy with me as he wants if he goes and plays like that when he is on the pitch! That is absolutely fine by me."
The draw sees Brackley rise to 18th in the table and a point above the drop zone ahead of Saturday's trip to 12th-placed Worksop Town (ko 3pm).