FC CLACTON boss Tom Austin thanked the club’s fans for their backing in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Whitton United.

An encouraging crowd of 110 turned out for the Thurlow Nunn League premier division fixture, in which Karl Andrade and Max Booth netted for the Seasiders.

In comparison, only 72 were in attendance for a 3-1 victory against Ely City on January 5.

Austin felt it made a difference and said it was good to see some familiar faces watching from the sidelines.

“There was a good crowd over there and it was great to see,” said the Clacton boss, whose side remained unbeaten throughout January.

“There were a few old faces back and they’re always very welcome.

“The same goes for anyone else who fancies coming over to watch us because it’s always great seeing different people at our games.

“It definitely makes a difference when you look around the ground.

“There’s more noise and it certainly helps the players.”

Austin felt a point apiece was a fair reflection of the game.

However, he and his players were left ruing missed chances as they only led by one goal at the break, scored by Andrade.

Whitton then scored twice in quick succession before Booth’s leveller.

“We should have been 3-0 up at half-time,” said Austin.

“Whitton hit the post early on but after that we had so many chances to score, but just weren’t clinical enough.

“After getting one, we came in at half-time and said ‘let’s do this’.

“But Whitton scored two quickfire goals to turn the match on its head.

“Then Max scored to make it level and we pushed at the end to try and grab a winner.

“We had one disallowed but just couldn’t manage a third goal.

“In the end, though, a draw was a fair result.

“Both sides deserved something from a game that must have been good to watch.”

Clacton’s next match at the Bowl is on Saturday week, February 9, when their opponents will be Haverhill Rovers.