MARCH boss Brett Whaley blamed bad luck and low confidence as his side twice came desperately close to claiming their first Ridgeons First Division win of 2008. Striker Denny Escorcio struck the post with a rasping 25-yard effort five minutes from time in

MARCH boss Brett Whaley blamed bad luck and low confidence as his side twice came desperately close to claiming their first Ridgeons First Division win of 2008.

Striker Denny Escorcio struck the post with a rasping 25-yard effort five minutes from time in 0-0 draw in a wet and blustery night at neighbours Downham Town on Tuesday.

Ashley Brand had spurned a chance from eight yards after a scramble in the penalty box in the 70th minute and Sam Bate headed Luke Pepper's cross wide five minutes later.

But a superb performance from centre-back Neil Walker helped to ensure that March came away with a share of the spoils.

The woodwork denied March a win on Saturday when Lee White smashed the crossbar from eight yards midway through the second half of a 1-1 draw at Stowmarket.

March were leading 1-0 at that point after Pepper had tucked away a fourth-minute penalty following a push on White.

And minutes after White's miss the hosts scored an equaliser with their only chance when a forward finished from close range after a corner.

Whaley said: "That's the first time I've been able to field the same team for two consecutive games and it's the best we've played for quite some time.

"It just seems that even when we're playing well the confidence is not there and you could see that in some of our finishing.

"And we just don't seem to have the rub of the green at the moment. We could have had six points from those matches with a bit of luck on our side."

March may be needing good fortune as they look to avenge an early season 8-1 defeat when they host Whitton United.

Left sided player Lawrie Brand will be unavailable after returning to university but Whaley is otherwise expecting to have a full strength squad available.