Mansfield Town

Midfielder delighted after scoring what proved to be the winner at St James Park.

Midfielder Fergus Bell was delighted to grab his first goal for the club in today’s superb 2-1 away victory at Exeter City.

The 23-year-old scored on the stroke of half-time to put us into a 2-0 advantage, after Rakish Bingham’s had earlier opened the scoring with a predatory close-range finish.

“It was a tough game in the end. I think we played very well in the first half and in the second half we showed our character, we battled on and I’m absolutely delighted [with the result],” said Bell.

“For me, it was nice to get a goal, but for the manager I’m sure he’ll say one of my blocks in the second half was just as important.”

On his first goal for the club, Bell continued: “We’ve been sort of practising in training that I’ve got to be on the edge of the area and expect the second ball.

“It just sort of fell quite nicely for me. I took it on my left foot and some of those can end up in Row Z and some can end up in the back of the net, so I’m chuffed to bits to get my first league goal.”

Bell also played a crucial role in our team’s opening goal as it was his shot that was parried away at the near-post by Exeter goalkeeper Christy Pym, which allowed debutant Bingham to slot home.

He continued: “Again, it’s something we’ve been working on – getting in and around big Matt Rhead. It was a nice little flick down and I just thought I’d take the shot on from a tighter angle and their ‘keeper made a good save, but Rakish looked very sharp today and he was on hand to stick the ball in.

“I think he’s got to be chuffed with his performance as well, because he did very well considering that it’s his first game since joining the club.”

Bell added: “Obviously we’ve been talking a lot and when you have a run of a couple of games where you don’t get the rub of the green and things don’t go your way, it was very important for us to come back with a victory here today.

“That’s why the manner in which we did it showed our fighting spirit and what we’ve always been known for is still there.

“It was incredibly important and it gives the lads a boost which will last for a few weeks, so it’s something to build on and take [into our next few games].”