Stags’ midfielder Neal Bishop says Mansfield showed a ‘desire’ to preserve their unbeaten run in last night’s clash at Prenton Park, but conceded that the team are ‘disappointed’ not to have won a game in which they had the better chances.
Mansfield created more clear-cut opportunities in the contest, with Otis Khan twice forcing good saves from Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies, and Tyler Walker narrowly missing the target when put through on goal ten minutes from time.
Bishop spoke of how his team-mates were determined to keep hold of the clean sheet in the match, following Colchester midfielder Sammie Szmodics’ late equaliser in the previous game.
“You’ve got to put your body on the line,” said Bishop. “It’s got to be everything not to get beat, you saw that tonight.
“The last five minutes, they’ve tried to throw the kitchen sink at us, but the boys stood up brilliantly well. So, credit to the lads, and you can see the desire is there not to get beat.
“Saturday stung us when we conceded the goal, but we’ve learnt from that and been doubly determined to ensure that it doesn’t happen [again].
“On reflection, it’s maybe two points lost, but you can’t be too dismissive of an away point and a clean sheet. [However] we do want to kick on this season, so we’re quite disappointed that we didn’t win it.”
“We’re unbeaten a long time now but we are hard on ourselves and performances like this, we want to start turning into wins.”
The Stags’ midfielder went on to explain how his side might feel slightly aggrieved to have only come away with a point.
“I think overall we had the better chances,” added Bishop. “In the first-half we carved out one or two great opportunities, and in the second-half as well.
“We were the team on the front foot, on the ascendency and the ones trying to win. They were falling back into their shape and didn’t really press us high-up.
“We strung lots of bits together, created enough chances and on another day, we might win that game.
“On reflection, it’s maybe two points lost, but you can’t be too dismissive of an away point and a clean sheet. [However] we do want to kick on this season, so we’re quite disappointed that we didn’t win it.”
Up next for the Stags is a trip to the Moss Rose to face newly-promoted Macclesfield, and Bishop explained that his side must be wary of the momentum that the league’s newcomers have following their promotion-winning seasons.
“I’ve played here [at Prenton Park] before,” he said. “It’s always been a tough place to come, the crowd are right on top of you.
“Teams on the back of a promotion want to get off to a good start. They’ve got that enthusiasm and momentum of getting promoted and want to carry on.
“We’re under no illusions it’s going to be another tough game on Saturday.”
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