Northampton Town manager Rob Page has apologised for comparing his team's 5-0 loss away to Bristol Rovers to that of "men against girls".
Page was speaking afterwards to BBC Radio Northampton after their third league loss in a row when he made the comments.
"People are knocking on my door, saying they deserve a chance and when you do, do your talking out there. Actions speak louder than words. There was a couple giving it that. It was men against girls, not boys."
After his comments were broadcast locally, the 42-year-old apologised, stating that his remarks were "totally unacceptable".
"Saturday was a very difficult afternoon for everyone," Page said in a statement released to the Northampton Town website.
“After the match I made a comment, when speaking to our local media, about the game being a case of 'men against girls.'"
"I immediately realised that this comment was totally unacceptable. No offence was meant by it and I apologise wholeheartedly if any was caused."
"This was an error of judgement I made in the heat of the moment shortly after a very difficult defeat, but that is no excuse, I accept that."
Northampton Town currently lie in 16th place in League One. They are ten points outside the playoff spots and eight points clear of the relegation zone.
