Stags’ boss David Flitcroft believes his side deserved their late equaliser after a significant increase in performance during the second half of today’s 1-1 draw away to Notts County.
On an afternoon of testing conditions at Meadow Lane, the Magpies went ahead in the 33rd minute when winger Terry Hawkridge converted from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
The home side led for over an hour but after a spell of incessant pressure from the Stags, they were handed an opportunity to equalise deep into stoppage time when Lewis Alessandra handled the ball just inside the box and referee Andy Woolmer pointed to the spot.
Frontman Kane Hemmings stepped up and expertly fired home the penalty to send the travelling Stags’ fans into raptures.
And manager David Flitcroft says his side were worthy of their late penalty after a ‘front foot’ second half display.
“Second half, it came alive and we came alive," said the manager. "I think there was more energy about our performance, we asked more questions, it was more front foot and I thought we thoroughly deserved a reward of a penalty.
“The courage and the character that Hemmo’s (Kane Hemmings) shown to step up to that with the ferocity of the crowd and that emotion. I spoke about it during the week; you can’t let that affect you and he didn’t.
“He came up and blasted it in the bottom corner. The courage that takes, I don’t think people realise sometimes and I’m delighted, certainly with the second half performance.
“We deserved it, a million percent we deserved it.”
“I think in the last 20 minutes, I think we asked more questions and they did start to drop deep and that detached [Shola] Ameobi and Jon Stead from the rest of the team and they were quite isolated.
“It was just more of a commanding front foot performance and we definitely deserved to get something there.
“We deserved it, a million percent we deserved it.”
Stags took 4,164 fans to Meadow Lane for this afternoon’s local derby and the boss, although disappointed not to reward their fervent support with three points, was delighted to send the faithful home with something to cheer about.
“That’s why I left another promotion-chasing squad for days like this. To take over 4,000 fans to your local rivals, it’s unique.
“To have the home support we’ve got and to take 4,000 and to watch them, they deserve that. I know why I’m here, I’m desperate to do well and I’ve got a group of players who never gave up today and got their just reward.
“I’m delighted that they’ve sent the fans home with something to cheer about, because they’ve fought today. Hopefully that will get appreciated.”
Stand-in skipper Krystian Pearce required lengthy on-field treatment in the second half and the boss has revealed that the former Birmingham City man was complaining of pain around his heart.
“The Krystian Pearce one was a little bit of a worry; he felt something in his heart. We got the doc on quick because Conrad’s come over and said he felt something in his heart.
“He said he felt quite disorientated so there was a bit of a worry there but he got back on, with Notts County’s club doctor’s blessing.”
Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view the manager’s full news conference.
