WISBECH Town boss Steve Appleby has criticised his side’s lack of passion after 1,100 fans watched the Fenmen stutter to a 1-1 draw with March Town United yesterday.

Appleby attacked his team’s display in the FA Cup Preliminary Round clash at the GER - the biggest derby in Fenland for almost 30 years.

“I’m at a loss with the lack of passion out there,” he said, speaking after the game. “You should love playing in front of 1,100 people, you should get a buzz from it. We looked as flat as anything.

“I’m hoping it’s just a one-off. Your adrenaline should be pumping for games like that, the hair should be stood up on the back of your neck and you should be running through brick walls to make things happen.

“We never got going, we were flat, there was no spark, no passion, no nothing. The consolation is that we’re still in the cup and we’ll go again on Tuesday.”

Luke Pepper’s sumptuous curling free-kick earned a replay for the Hares after Liam Nimmo had given Wisbech the lead in yesterday’s tie.

The teams will meet again on Tuesday night - with extra-time and penalties to feature if necessary - to decide who will progress to the first qualifying round against Wroxham.

Appleby said: “I want to see passion on Tuesday - I want a big reaction. We can’t play like that again. I think both clubs are happy that they’ve got another bite at the cherry.

“I don’t think we’re ever going to get a footballing classic but you deserve a bit of passion and a bit of quality here and there.”

Tuesday’s game kicks-off at 7.45pm at the Elgood’s Fenland Stadium.