Mansfield Town

The Dons’ shot-stopper pulled off a string of remarkable saves to keep the Stags out, and almost single-handedly earned his side a 0-0 draw.

Meanwhile, Marriott was pleased with our defensive performance, as we picked up a well-deserved point ending a six-match losing streak.

“It was a tricky game for goalkeepers out there today,” said the 35-year-old. “It was very windy which made it hard to deal with corners.

“In the second half their goalkeeper pulled off three moments of brilliance to keep them in the game which frustrated us, but it is pleasing as a team we are creating these chances.

“Goalkeepers train hard all week, and the sort of saves he made is what you work on during training, so to be fair to him it has worked out really well for him today after making some fantastic stops.”

He added: “It’s just the way it is going for us at the minute, but we can take the positives and say we are creating these chances and getting into the right areas at the right times which will build our confidence up.

“We’ve been working hard and since Micky (Moore) returned, we’ve worked on our shape in trying to become a hard, compact unit. We’ve been working hard for each other and it is starting to pay off.”

The Stags number one goalkeeper is now looking forward to Tuesday’s FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round replay with Oldham Athletic.

With Liverpool awaiting the winners, Marriott is relishing the idea of a potential trip to Anfield, but has urged our players to also keep focused on matters in the league.

Talking about the prospect of playing Liverpool for a second season running, Marriott said: “We will put it to the back of our minds to be honest. 

“It’s important to keep up a good league form, because is our ‘bread and butter’. We need to concentrate climbing up that table to where we should be.

“Obviously, we’ve got the incentive of playing Liverpool in the next round, which is fresh in the mind from last year. 

“For me, my incentive is to get there and for my little boy to come out with me on the pitch, which will probably bring a tear to my eye.  

“But we’ve got the matter of beating Oldham Athletic, so we need to complete a giant-killing first.”