Manager Paul Cox’s believes that our team created enough chances to win today’s local ‘derby’ with Chesterfield at One Call Stadium, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Our team, who were on the front-foot for the majority of the last half-an-hour, created some good openings going forward, whilst working tremendously hard at the back.
The Spireites survived an almighty goalmouth scramble with just 10 minutes remaining, before Ollie Palmer spurned a glorious opportunity deep into added time.
Our boss was also pleased with the work-ethic that our players showed during the match.
“I think we created five or six great chances in the last half-an-hour,” said Cox.
“[Converting chances] has been our achilles heel throughout the season, but I can’t fault the boys’ work-ethic and desire to go and win the game.”
He continued: “Our front two were a handful and ‘Clucs’ (Sam Clucas) and Lindon (Meikle) were causing problems out wide, and we tried to take the game to them.
“The chance at the end, Ollie (Palmer) has done everything right apart from [put the ball] six inches wide of the other side of the far-post.
“But I can’t fault the players’ work-ethic and the fans were absolutely brilliant. The atmosphere was ‘different gravy’, but I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t take all three points.
“I’m not going to get too down beat. We played a team that have got excellent players, an excellent manager, and I think they are geared to be promoted from this league.
“It’s something that we need to aspire to and learn by and hopefully maintain our status this season and push on from there.”
Over 4,000 Stags fans were inside One Call Stadium to witness today’s nail-biting contest and Cox was full of praise for them, stating they backed our team throughout.
He added: “I think the fans played a massive part in the game. I’ve always that we’ve had some ‘ups and downs’ in the two-and-a-half years that I’ve been here, but we’ve been successful.
“It’s the supporters’ football club and when they are in that mode [like they were today] and they’re that vocal, it makes this an intimidating place to come and play.
“What it does to our boys, it’s like a drug to them. They responded to the supporters and the supporters responded to them, which was magnificent.”
