Midfielder Lee Stevenson believes this afternoon’s 1-1 draw at Portsmouth was a good result despite our players feeling slightly disappointed at not grabbing all three points at Fratton Park.
Stags took the lead early on in the second half, after Stevenson aerobically finished his effort following James Jennings’ assist, before Pompey pulled a goal back with 13 minutes to go, earning a share of the spoils.
Stevenson praised our defensive display this afternoon, in which was to be another hard earned point on the road.
The 29-year-old said: “I think before the game you would have definitely taken a point at Fratton Park, but to come in at half time at 0-0, well in the game and then to start the second half like we did, the lads are in there now disappointed.
“Anyone that was involved in the game will tell you, teams are going to have spells in any match where they might be on top for 20 minutes.
“Portsmouth have 15,000 people here, their gaffer has thrown another striker on so they have three or four strikers up front at times. They’ve just gone for it so you have to expect pressure.
“Mazza (Alan Marriott) has also pulled off a fantastic save at 1-0 and we have gone on to defend for our lives in the last 15 minutes.”
On personal note, Stevenson was delighted with his fifth goal of the season which put Stags ahead early on in the second half.
Stevenson continued: “It’s one for the scrap book. Darryl Westlake has put a great ball across and JJ (James Jennings) has put a great header back across goal as I’ve acrobatically put my leg up there with an over-head kick and it has gone into the top corner.
“It’s nice to score goals at places like this and to get a goal like that is just fantastic really.
“The group that we have got in the changing rooms all see this place (Fratton Park) as a Premier League ground, so to come down here and start the second half like we did, being on top and scoring a goal is brilliant."
