Stags’ boss Adam Murray says 'the end product will come' after seeing his side held to a 0-0 draw at home to Oldham Athletic in the Emirates FA Cup first round folowing a dominant display.
Murray, who described his side as 'excellent' throughout the game, said that the Stags need to get the rub of the green in front of goal.“We’ve been working all week on our final third play and we saw, again, a lot of crosses going into the final third – we need one to go in off someone’s backside at the minute!
“I thought we dominated the game, we played at the right tempo and our intensity with and without the ball was superb. Some of our play, at times, was top drawer and we did everything but score,” said Murray.
With the scores being level with 90 minutes elapsed this afternoon, the Stags travel to The SportsDirect.com Park on Tuesday 17 November for the replay and Murray is adamant that victories will follow if they keep putting in performances like this afternoon’s.
“[I was] really chuffed with our performance today and we missed that end product, but it will come. What we have to do is keep our standards."
Murray continued: “We’re in a good place; defensively we look good and attacking-wise we’re creating chances and we’ve just got to finish them.
“If we weren’t creating chances then I’d probably say we need to change something but we’re getting in great areas, we’re having some great link-up play and we just need that cutting edge and that rub of the green.”
The gaffer was pleased with how his Stags’ side matched up against their League One counterparts, and says nothing should be taken away the performance.
“They’re a good team. Like I said before the game, their league position lies. They play some very good stuff and they 'took Burton last week to the cleaners' and Burton are top of League One.
“The difference between League One and League Two is huge. You think when we went to Notts County [then in League One] in the cup game [Johnstone’s Paint Trophy] last year, the gulf then was shown massively and the difference between the two divisions is big.
“They’re a very good team so to dominate them for large periods, I’m happy.”
Returning to league matters next week against Northampton Town, Murray is looking forward to a tie which he describes as a ‘play-off buster’.
“We’re playing the team that’s right next to us and I said earlier in the week in press that we’re in the mixer with some big boys."
You can watch Murray's interview, in full, on Stags Player.
