Ward defends Burton error
Wrexham goalkeeper Gavin Ward has responded to the criticism he has received after Tuesday night's error at Burton.
Ward came racing out of his area after 78 minutes only to be beaten to the ball by Lee Morris, who lobbed the ball past Ward into the empty net.
The goal proved to be the winner, as Burton recovered from a half time deficit to record a 2-1 win and end Wrexham's ten match unbeaten run.
Speaking to the Daily Post, Ward defended his decision. "I wasn't too happy with the decision I made, but goalkeeping is all about split-second decisions,"
"I thought I could get to the ball before him. In hindsight, I should have stayed at home and made it more difficult for him to beat me.
"If I'd have got a touch on the ball and stopped him scoring it would have been a good decision - there's a fine line between a good and a bad decision. He (Morris) got there ahead of me and finished well, so it was a wrong decision.
"I don't mind a bit of criticism, I'm big enough and ugly enough to take it. People can say what they want but I won't take notice of it - the only person I listen to is the manager."
Despite losing on Tuesday, Ward believes Wrexham can take positives from Tuesday nights match, Wrexham outplayed the Brewers in the first period and were value for their 1-0 lead.
"In the first half we played very well, closed them down and were on the front foot," Ward continued by saying "Jefferson (Louis) scored a fantastic goal to send us on our way and we didn't want half time to come,
we were playing so well. "I'm not sure what changed in the second half, but they seemed to have a lot more of the ball. Maybe we weren't getting a good enough service to the front two.
"I felt we should have averted both their goals - we weren't too happy about either of them, but we take the blame collectively."
Ward who joined Wrexham from Chester City in January 2008 said that he is enjoying his time at Wrexham but thinks the club should be doing a lot better in the Blue Square Premier.
"I'm very happy to be playing regular football, but I'm not pleased where we are in the table," he added.
"Despite the fact Burton are 19 points clear and have just beaten us 2-1, I still feel we are the best side in the league.
"The table doesn't lie, but with the quality of the squad we have and the amount of players, I'm not happy being in fifth place.
"It's looking like the play-offs are our most realistic hopes of promotion, but if we can win 10 games on the spin who knows. Until it is mathematically impossible to catch Burton we won't give up."
Ward is now looking to get Wrexham back on track, when the reds entertain Ebbsfeet United in Tomorrow's FA Trophy Quarter final
"It will be a nice break from the league and with it being a quarter-final, a place at Wembley is only two matches away," he said. "The opportunity to play at Wembley is a great incentive. It is a tremendous moment in any player's career to play there.
"It will be tough - we beat Ebbsfleet 3-2 earlier this season and they are a few places below us in the league, but being the holders they won't want to give up their grip on the Trophy easily."
Kick off Tomorrow is 3.00 pm, with the winners going through to a two legged Semi Final.