'It wasn't ideal' - Bank holiday travel chaos for Bamber Bridge

The Brig team bus broke down en route to the Northolme, and that was compounded by traffic further on in the journey which saw them only arrive at the ground at shortly before 3:30pm.

That meant kick-off was delayed until 4pm, but once the action finally got underway, Milligan's side hit the front early in the second half thanks to a superb Harry Scarborough volley.

However, Gainsborough - another of last season's beaten play-off contenders - levelled later in the half as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in Lincolnshire.

"It wasn't an ideal start to our journey, with our coach breaking down then hitting traffic," Milligan joked post-match as he reflected on the game.

"We started off really well in the first half, I thought we were excellent. We just lacked that little bit in the final third again - that killer instinct.

"We regrouped at half-time, came out well and scored a good goal, then they changed their shape and it caused us a few problems to be fair.

"The lads stuck at it, and a point away from home, we'll probably take it. With the run of things, maybe we should've been winning it."

A 3-0 victory at home to Workington on Monday saw the Brig return to winning ways and climb back into the top half of the Northern Premier League table.

Having only scored five goals in as many matches before their most recent win, Milligan admits he has been left to rue some of their recent shortcomings in front of goal.

"It's hard, because every game we've played in this season, we probably should have won," he added.

"We should be unbeaten, but that's just football. We're giving the lads different ideas in training in the final third and working on different patterns to try and help them be a bit more dangerous in the final third.

"They're a good set of lads. They work hard, listen and take things onboard. The work rate they put in [against Gainsborough] was unbelievable."

Photo credit: Bamber Bridge