There’s no arguing that Salisbury had its chances to win Friday night’s game against Bangor. If not for a couple of failed conversions in the red zone, the outcome could have been different.

However, Falcon head coach Andy Cerco understands the likelihood of winning with those circumstances isn’t in Salisbury’s favor. And that’s exactly what happened.

The Falcons fell to 2-2 on the season after a 12-6 loss to the Slaters (2-2) on Friday night at Salisbury High School. Salisbury entered the red zone four times, including two in the fourth quarter, yet only came away with one touchdown.

“When we got in the red zone there, inside the 5-yard line, it’s tough on a number of levels,” Cerco said. “They out-manned us up front. So, we decided to throw the ball to our tall receivers, and we couldn’t make it happen.”

Trailing 12-6 in the final seconds of the third quarter, Salisbury began a drive it hoped to be the game-winner. The Falcons took the ball from their own 36-yard line to Bangor’s 3-yard line with a first-and-goal opportunity.

A holding penalty pushed the Falcons back, and after a 13-yard run from quarterback Cam Vaka, three straight incomplete passes forced a turnover on downs.

“It’s not on anyone, [but] we just couldn’t find a way to make it happen,” Cerco said. “There are a lot of things that go on in a football game. It’s not one person, or one side of the ball, or anything like that.”

Bangor took over with a couple of minutes to play, but Salisbury was gifted with a second chance after running back Joey Schrader lost a fumble. Vaka hit Oliver Stewart for a 40-yard gain to set up a first down at the Slaters’ 17-yard line with under two minutes to play. But two plays later, an interception ended any hopes of a comeback.

“We did a lot of good things on offense,” Cerco said. “Throwing the ball like that, deep down the field, it’s good. We have to be able to find some consistency.”

Bangor capitalized on its opening possession with a 10-play drive, finished by quarterback Bo Meyers’ 15-yard touchdown run.

Salisbury tied the game just before halftime when Vaka hit Lucas Irwin for a tip-toe grab in the back of the end zone. A bobbled snap on the extra point kept the game at 6-6 until Schrader ran in from 26 yards out midway through the third quarter.

“When we are fighting all game long, and we are out-manned by 100 pounds or more, it’s tough, “Cerco said. “Our kids played their hearts out. They absolutely did.”

Salisbury travels to Notre Dame-Green Pond on Friday for a 7 p.m. kick off.