North London Tara's third draw of their league campaign took place at Montrose Park this morning, with goal-scoring midfielder Larry Wrenn canceling out The Stags opener to secure a share of the spoils. A resolute defensive performance from the back five, spearheaded by Man of the Match Dan O'Halloran, meant Tara were in contention throughout the match and always in with a chance of scoring. Despite not being at their best as an offensive unit the boys in blue dug in to extend their unbeaten record to 5 consecutive matches, with the gaffer insisting that they look to maintain it till Christmas and beyond.

In contrast to last season when a huge squad meant we regularly benefited from the luxury of having 4 or 5 subs, we struggled for numbers again this morning with Stephen, Noel, Darren and Keano all AWOL and Mark Murphy alone on the bench. Pat and Tim's injuries limits things even further, making me more inclined to leave Paul in the back-line rather than move him up top to partner JP. Personally I think there could be a bit more communication among you on the texts and in the forum, as I think most lads are less inclined to go on a bender or put in a bum shift when they know that we're already struggling for numbers. Next week for example both Sean and Stephen O'Carroll are away in Ireland and JP (who expects to be a dad sometime soon) could also be out, so the rest of you best stay in and put your feet up –you should all be saving for my Christmas presents anyway.

Today's game was always going to be a test with The Stag having drawn with Sals and St Andrews Youth already this season and thumped 8 goals past a Highgate side who beat us in my all all-time lowest low. But we've come on leaps and bounds since then, we've settled well as a back four and I consider us unlucky not to have beaten both All Saints and The Yoofs along the way. Central to our recent resurgence has been the form of Kieran The Beast Kelly, who was a real dynamo again today, and a real conviction throughout the side that we're not here to make up the numbers or settle for defeat having fallen a goal behind. Kenton apart we've conceded first in every league game this season, which is nothing to boast about, but your reaction often is.

Stag started the stronger of the 2 sides today, hitting the bar with a thumping volley inside the first minute and always looking to turn our defence back toward goal. I was a bit concerned. The way I'm setting the side out at present it's vital that we can make inroads down the flanks and get up in support of JP. That's why Dublin Darrens pace is such an asset and why the quality of Steve is so important, without either of them we lacked some attacking panache and penetration today, conceding territory and drawing pressure. That said I'm not digging out Pat or Sean, not at all. Pat has looked very impressive coming on as a sub in recent weeks but is still woefully short of being match fit, while Sean showed some real balls today for a young fella and some nice touches to boot. He's getting sharper too, but like his brother needs the ball to feet which is not always possible when you're clearing your lines or under pressure in midfield.

Not that it was all one way traffic. I saw a good few attempts to get the ball down and play with KK, Deco, Larry and Paul all stringing it together well. We should have done better with a couple of dead balls and from wide positions when the cross failed to beat the first man. But with the defence looking comfortable I was genuinely pleased at half-time. The Stags opener was a thumping header just after the break which knocked the wind right out of our sails and caused a few heads to drop, albeit briefly. As a team the final piece of our defensive jigsaw must be preventing the crosses from coming in when one-on-one in the full-back positions. Once we do that this season we're be getting clean sheets again. With Pats groin playing up and little to lose I took Paul out of defence and pushed him up front in exchange for Murph, and with another body in attack you came to life. I always enjoy the football, but I get a real kick out of your drive and determination as well. Men like Dec, Kieran, Gav, Burkey and even the more gentile Dr Dan, they don't fold, don't concede defeat, they keep going, fighting, trying. It's the spirit we have at this club that gives me my thrills and today and these past few weeks I've seen it in every one of you. With the ball buzzing around the box Dec attempted to drive through and would surely have won a penalty before the ball broke to Larry to tuck it into the corner from the edge of the box. Point proved, despite being below par.

I'm thrilled for Larry who is in the team on merit to get on the ball and get among the assists, and I hope the strike will boost his confidence further. Both he and Young Sean Clifford seem to be benefiting from an extended run in the team. Along with Murph and Lil D they felt the thin edge of the wedge last year and in Larry's case I think he was a little short of belief at the beginning of the season, perhaps feeling that I was waiting to pull him out of the team, expecting him to fail. As with you all however, I actually expect him to succeed and now he is doing so I'm absolutely chuffed. He's my top trainer and a great fella.