Mansfield Town

Midfielder Ricky Ravenhill couldn’t help but feel frustrated after our team endured late heartache in today’s 1-1 draw with Northampton Town at One Call Stadium.

Vadaine Oliver’s opener had put us on course to record a morale-boosting victory, but the Cobblers earned a share of the spoils thanks to a controversial late penalty, scored by Sky Bet League Two’s top scorer, Marc Richards. 

Ravenhill returned from injury to wear the captain’s armband against and was a main contributor to the solid defensive set-up.

Speaking after the match, Ravenhill said: “The lads are absolutely devastated. They put a shift in. We had a game-plan that worked and we did everything we wanted to do.

“I think everything went to plan except for the decision at the end. 

“I thought we controlled the first half and after that we moved the ball nicely. They are always going to throw people in the box and you have to defend. You are always going to have to defend and that is the way it is.

“Everyone in the team did their jobs and nobody let anyone down. We limited their chances and I can’t express how frustrated I am.

“It feels like a defeat at the minute and because the goal they scored was so late, it does not feel good.”

On a more positive note, Ravenhill was full of praise for young central midfielder Jack Thomas who made his starting debut for us.

The 34-year-old added: “He has done brilliantly out there. He stood up to the big game and deserved his Man of the Match award. He had has the right attitude and application to everything he does and now he just has to maintain his standards.”

Our team now turn their attention to the clash against promotion-chasing Luton Town at One Call Stadium on Tuesday. 

Looking ahead to that game, Ravenhill said: “I thought our game-plan worked very well. We looked comfortable in large parts and most things went the way we wanted it to.

“We will do things right in the lead up and by the time we get out there against Luton, we will be in the right frame of mind.”