ACCRINGTON boss James Beattie was pleased with his side’s fightback, but admitted they left themselves with too much to do in their 3-2 home defeat to Exeter.

The Reds conceded three goals in the opening 24 minutes, but hit back to come within a whisker of claiming a point.

Piero Mingoia was denied an equaliser by keeper Artur Krysiak, after Marcus Bettinelli had saved a penalty at the other end.

“We didn’t start the game as we would have wanted,” Beattie said.

“The defence didn’t deal with straight balls and we found ourselves down 3-0 and left ourselves a lot to do.

“But fair play to them, having gone 3-0 down they decided to start playing football.

“We got a goal back just before half time, we had a few words at and came out in the second half and showed just what we can do.

“We played some decent stuff, got ourselves another goal and with the penalty save you’re thinking maybe your luck’s going to be in.

“Marcus owned up for responsibility for the third goal but he’s been absolutely superb since he came in.

“The chance Piero had, bless him he came into the dressing room and held his hands up and said, ‘Sorry lads’.

“But he’s got to be in there to miss them and if that goes in I could have seen us being winners.”