Gary Bowyer blamed a lack of experience for his struggling Burton side not holding on for a vital victory at Crawley.
Rumarn Burrell had put the Brewers ahead in the 25th minute and they held on until 18 minutes from time when Tola Showunmi fired home to secure a 1-1 draw and leave Bowyer’s men 11 points from safety.
Burton have now drawn three of their last four games and have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season.
Responding to this statistic, Bowyer said: “Lots of it is the age of the squad – there is a lack of experience and that’s something we need to improve on.”
Bowyer is targeting more signings having already brought in three new players in January.
He added: “We need reinforcements. Since I’ve been in the work-rate and effort has been great. They are honest lads and there is no gloom and doom. I am loving the challenge.
“There is lots to improve on. We have to be better on the ball. But we scored a great goal from a wonderful ball by Ryan Sweeney.”
Crawley remain five points from safety and although disappointed not to have won, boss Rob Elliot said he personally had not viewed it as a “must-win game.”
The former Gateshead manager said: “It was not a six-pointer because it’s the start of the second half of the season.
“I get how people see it, and I’m disappointed we didn’t win because it’s against a team we expect to win against, but it’s a point to where we want to get to with 22 games left.”
Crawley had thrown away a 4-1 half-time lead to draw 4-4 at Exeter before losing 3-0 at Barnsley in their previous game, and Elliot was satisfied with the reaction shown by his players.
He added: “I definitely think I got a reaction and we dominated in all areas.
“Unfortunately we shot ourselves in the foot as the goal we gave away was a poor one – we shouldn’t allow a goal like that.
“We need to be more ruthless ourselves; it’s another point although we wanted it to be three. But we got back to how we want to play and that’s a positive.”
