Scunthorpe 1-1 Gills: Neale Cooper

Last updated : 16 September 2005 By Simon Head

Cooper: Stressed the need to strengthen

"Overall I thought we deserved to win the game. At one -nil Darren Byfield hit the crossbar and then we had another chance which needed a great clearance from them," Cooper told the official club website.

"There was some great football played today. I thought we started the game brightly, fell away a little bit at the end of the first half, but got going again in the second half and got the goal, which was a great finish from Andy.

"They came at us at the end when Darren got sent off and we were under the cosh. Eventually they got the equaliser. The pressure was on us being down to 10-men and crowd gave them a lift.

"We could have defended the cross for the goal a bit better but apart from that I'm proud of the lads, they have been superb.

"The big thing today was that the players never gave up. They kept fighting until the end and I think the fans saw that.

"So a little disappointed we didn't get the three points but Scunthorpe did well in midweek against Barnsley and yet we have come here and got something.

"We have had three hard games in a week and we've defended really well. We have played clubs with a lot of big guys in their teams and we have dealt with them."

Talking about Darren Byfield's late sending off, Cooper said, "I have to watch what I say about decisions like that, but there was no malice in it, OK he caught him but it wasn't like the tackle on Danny Jackman, which was a frightening tackle.

"The lad has got stud marks right around his ankle - a horrendous tackle. Then Darren does that and gets sent off. But that's football the referee saw it and had already been booked.

"It's a shame for him because he has been excellent and was excellent again today. He torments teams. It's a big blow for us because we will miss him next week."

Cooper has made it clear he wants to add some more new faces to his squad before the transfer window closes - and Byfield's suspension means the need for another quality striker is even greater.

Cooper said, "I have spoken to the chairman and I'm tracking a few people. We still need bodies but we are not far away if we can get the right ones in.

"We have got another good week of training ahead and hopefully we can get a few new faces in to strengthen for next week."