Watford keeper Scott Loach says he is to blame but tells fans not to panic

The England Under-21 international failed to clear the ball as he came out to the edge of his penalty area, under pressure from Peterborough’s Mark Little.

The ball was laid back to Liam Dickinson and the striker lobbed Loach from 30 yards out to send the Hornets to their fourth consecutive defeat and leave them one point outside the relegation places.

Loach told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: “I have to hold my hands up for the goal. I didn’t get a good enough connection on the clearance and the lad has struck a great finish to be fair.

“That’s what happens to goalkeepers. I felt I made some good saves, but as soon as I make a mistake it’s a goal whereas strikers make a mistake and it’s not seen as a match-losing moment.

“With all due respect to Peterborough this was one of those games that we should be winning, but things aren’t going our way at the minute.

“When we have been on our game at home this season we have won matches like this three or four nil so this was a big disappointment for us all.

“We are far closer to the bottom three than we should be, but we have a couple of games in hand on some teams so there is no need to panic.”

However, Mackay didn’t agree with Loach and refused to solely blame the keeper for Peterborough’s goal.

“It is a combination,” Mackay explained.

“It is very opportunist from the lad and an excellent finish but from our point of view we have to a, clear the danger and b, back up the goalkeeper and anticipate that if he is out of his goal and running back, that someone gets on the line. We lose goals as a team.”

Mackay continued: “Scott doesn’t need to [say anything]. Scott Loach has been magnificent for us this season. He is a young goalkeeper who is learning his trade and needs to play in games like that and overcome disappointment like that to help him grow.

“He has nothing to apologise for there.”