Manager Paul Cox believes our side picked up a valuable point at Fratton Park this afternoon following a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth.
Stags took the lead early on in the second half courtesy of an acrobatic close-range finish from Lee Stevenson, before the hosts equalised in the 77th minute through debutant Ryan Taylor.Â
Cox was particularly pleased with how our players started the second half.Â
âI think when you go ahead like we did; I thought we were in control of the game at that point,â said Cox.Â
âYou would probably say it was two points dropped but saying that, when you look at the substitutions that came on for Portsmouth, the names and the levels they have played at, they made a massive impact and threw the kitchen sink at us meaning we had to hold on at the end.
âThe last 10 to 15 minutes were quite edgy, but looking at the chances we had in the second half, I thought we controlled the first 20 minutes or to an extent, even the first 25 minutes. Â
âWe had some good chances with their goalkeeper notably pulling off a good save from Ross Dyer on to the post.
âWe got the ball down, popped it about and looked really comfortable, but saying that I thought we did become a little bit anxious.Â
âItâs not a bad point away from home. When you look at the players they have got returning, plus the statue of the club, to come away from anywhere and grab a point is good.âÂ
Meanwhile, the Stags boss has urged our players to start picking up more points at home following a good run of form on the road which has now seen us pick up seven points from nine.Â
Our manager also praised Mansfield Townâs travelling supporters this afternoon and has asked the One Call Stadium faithful to get behind our team again next weekend against Wycombe Wanderers.Â
Cox continued: âWe just said to the lads in there that the home form needs turning around. Itâs our home form that is the problem for us at the moment and we are working extremely hard to rectify that.
âThe supporters were 'out of this world' today. They were basically like an extra man for us in those last five minutes when we were hanging on. I think we need that at home now â we need the fans to get behind us.
âItâs the home form that is a problem for us at the moment, so if we can get that off our back we will ultimately climb the table.â
On his hunt for a new striker : "I'm working extremely hard. I tried to get one in for today but it didn't work [out]. I'll be meeting with one on Monday/Tuesday and I'd like to think we'll have a new face in for next weekend."