Louth Town pay the penalty as they crash at home to Selby Town

Louth scored one and Selby keeper Adam Hewitson saved one but boss Carl Martin believes they should have had two more.

Harry Clapham and Iwan Heeley scored braces for Selby, who netted twice in eight first half minutes and, after escaping the first penalty shout, went 3-0 up just after the break.

On 53 minutes Bailey Wright had his spot kick saved but Harry Jacklin did net from the spot on 66 minutes. However, after the referee ruled against a penalty shout for a Selby handball on 71 minutes, the visitors bagged a fourth with a scorcher on 79 minutes.

Louth manager Carl Martin said: “We should maybe have had a couple more penalties on top of the two that were given.

“But, with the law of averages in football, you're probably lucky to get two in one game let alone three or four.

“We missed a penalty and should have had another before half-time but the referee gave an indirect free kick inside the box when it was a clear penalty.”

He added: “It was one of those games where we shot ourselves in the foot first half and tried to over-play.

“Fair play to Selby, they took advantage and were 2-0 up at half-time which was probably the correct score. They were full value for it.

“We regrouped, changed the formation and made three subs at half-time. We came out the blocks really fast and should have scored. Instead they went up the other end and made it 3-0.

“But credit to our lads, they never gave in and we probably had enough chances to win two games. We are just a bit naïve at times, playing in the wrong areas.

“I was pleased with the second half performance. It was spirited and I think 4-1 flattered them in the end, though we gave away four poor goals.

“Once again we were not good enough in both boxes.”

Louth managed to beat Worsborough Bridge for a second time in a few days in midweek to progress in the NCEL League Cup, winning 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, having beaten the same side 2-0 the previous Saturday in the league.

“On the Saturday we were really good and full value for the points. The first 20 minutes was probably the best we'd played all season.

“It is hard playing the same team twice in three or four days and they came in the League Cup and made it difficult,” said Martin.

“They gave it a good go and probably the best team on the night lost. So we are just pleased to get through to the next round.”

After a scheduled midweek away game to bottom club Swallownest on Saturday Louth are away to sixth-placed Shirebrook Town.