Match-winner Alex MacDonald refused to take any individual plaudits despite scoring the winning goal with a 30-yard thunderbolt, instead praising Mansfield Town's 'team performance' as they magnificently beat Coventry City 1-0 at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon.
The Stags survived a strong start by their hosts to go on and deservedly win the game with MacDonald finding the net from range in the 84th minute with a blistering effort that swerved away from Coventry 'keeper Lee Burge.
Speaking after the game, winger MacDonald down-played his goal and instead moved attention to the team display.
"I think there was a long ball went up and I just got onto the seconds and you know sometimes it just opens up for you and you just hit it. Luckily enough I caught it sweet and it went in the back of the net," said MacDonald.
"But it's not about me, it's not about individuals today. It's a team performance and what a team performance it was to come away with three points from a very, very good team.
"It was a hardworking performance. It was a real difficult first half. For the first 10 to 15 minutes I thought it took us a while to get to grips with the game but we got there in the end.
"[In the] second half I thought we were the only team who were going to go on and win the game.
"It was something that we mentioned when we were out on the pitch prior to the game, that they'd only conceded eight goals in 16 games, which is commendable.
"But you know that just shows the strength that they've got. They're a fantastic team and they've got great individual players and like I said before, to put on a performance the way we did and to come away with three points is very pleasing and it just shows where we've come in the last couple of weeks."
The win extends the Stags' unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions and MacDonald claims he feels like he, and his team-mates, are now hitting top form.
"I said in the press prior to the game we're really happy with where we're at in terms of performances.
"We continued that today and I thought especially second half, we looked really, really good at times. To come to a place like this and come away with three points, it's a testament to all of us.
"I'm not interested in individual accolades. It's about the team and this group, we're really starting to hit top gear now.""
"I think I said that prior to this game, I'm really starting to feel fit, I'm really starting to feel sharper and I said the only thing that's really missing from me is probably more assists and more goals.
"I've been unlucky with a few assists and a few efforts that I should have scored but I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net today.
"But like I said before, I'm not interested in individual accolades. It's about the team and this group, we're really starting to hit top gear now."
MacDonald scored his goal at the end where 1,565 Mansfield fans were located and the Stags' faithful were in tremendous voice all afternoon, something the winger was delighted to reward.
"It was nice to score at the end the Stags' fans were. I think we all wanted to join in the celebrations.
"For them to turn up in their numbers, like they did today, to be as vocal as what they were today, it was great just to reward them with a big three points and the great celebrations at the end there when the goal went in."
Supporters will be able to view Alex MacDonald's post-match interview on iFollow Stags later this evening.
