Manager Paul Cox was delighted with the way our players performed in this afternoon’s 2-1 victory over Southend United at One Call Stadium.
Goals from Sam Clucas – his 12th of the campaign and first since returning from injury – and James Jennings fired us into a 2-0 lead, before Ryan Leonard netted a consolation for Southend deep into added time.
The victory, our first on home soil since September, moves us six points clear of the drop zone in Sky Bet League Two and up three places to 17th position.
“In horrible conditions I thought the boys tried to play some good stuff,” said Cox.
“We scored two good goals and probably got a little bit nervous towards the end, but it’s to be expected with what happened last week, when five minutes went up.
“But I thought we deserved [to win] against what I would class as a very good side and probably one of the best sides that have come to One Call Stadium.
“I’m over the moon for the boys, because they’ve worked hard all week and really kept their discipline and focus.
“I thought we went long when we needed to go long, and we played a simple pass when we needed to – and I think that’s what we’re getting better at.
“The work-rate from our boys [was good] and you could tell it went meant to them at the end as [our home form] has been like a little monkey on our backs.
“It’s a happy dressing room at the minute and it’s been a happy dressing room for a while, but we needed that three points at home to steady us down a little bit.”
He added: “We’ve sort of broken the back now, but we need to push on as we’ve got a big game on Tuesday – and see what we can do then.”
Paul Cox’s full post-match interview will be available on Stags Player later tonight. To subscribe, click here.
