OVER seven months on and it’s a result that continues to stalk Charlie Wyke.

Every season leaves its hard-luck tales, the “if only” afternoons that saw points tossed away and opportunities missed.

There won’t be a team in the country who won’t look back when it’s all over and think: “What happened that day?”

For Wyke, whatever transpires for City between now and the final whistle at Scunthorpe on May 5, there is just one score he looks back on with incredulity.

Walsall away at the end of August should have been an occasion to savour – his first start after a pre-season plagued by hamstring problems.

Instead, it was one that descended into farce as City blew a three-goal lead in the second half and ended up hanging on to protect a 3-3 draw.

“It’s something that has never happened to me before,” admitted Wyke.

“You look back at results like that and it is really frustrating. When you’re 3-0 up, you should be cruising and win the game.

“It was my first game back from injury as well, so I was still getting used to it.

“Both teams were getting chances but then they suddenly score one and then two – we didn’t know where it had come from.

“We were sitting back and they grabbed another one right at the end.

“When you look back at end of season and think you could have done with three or four more points, it’s results like that one that will really stick out.”

So revenge of sorts will be on his mind when the Saddlers arrive at Valley Parade this afternoon.

For Wyke, it will be an overdue chance to finally play a home game – his last was seven weeks ago against Bury under the caretaker control of Greg Abbott.

Wyke is a reluctant spectator and spent last week’s win over Gillingham suffering alongside injured colleague Ryan McGowan in the main stand.

He added: “The ball is coming into the box and you’re thinking ‘I wish I could get on the end of that’.

“But the last five minutes went on forever. I think Ryan and I were actually holding each other at one stage!

“It’s been frustrating watching the lads, especially when the results haven’t been going well.

“We got away with one at the end against Gillingham when their lad should have scored but that’s the luck you need.

“The ball didn’t bounce because of the pitch so it’s helped us for a change.”

The Valley Parade surface remains a constant talking point and Wyke says City just have to adapt as best they can.

“I can’t really say you get used to it because there are going to be different bobbles on the pitch.

“Sometimes if you want to lay the ball off with one touch, you’ve got to take two to make sure you really do secure it first.

“But we’re not complaining. You just have to take care on it.”