Midfielder Jacob Mellis believes his late equaliser against Lincoln City epitomised the squad’s fighting spirit despite not being at their best on the day.
Mellis was the Stags’ hero at Sincil Bank as the amber and blue came from behind to snatch a point at the death.
A 93rd minute volley sent the away fans behind the goal into complete elation, thus protecting their unbeaten run which stretches all the way back to when they faced Exeter City in September.
After Kellan Gordon had initially put the Imps in the driving seat with his goal on 85 minutes, Mellis levelled up proceedings – and he believes it shows the squad’s fighting spirit to continue their impressive unbeaten league run.
“The gaffer always says: ‘when you’re not at your best you don’t lose the game’,” he revealed.
“The team spirit we have right now, everyone gets around each other and wants to play so that’s a good thing.”
“And we ground it out to keep that unbeaten run going. It’s massive and the gaffer makes no mistake about telling us. We want to keep it going because we’re on a great run.
“There’s a few niggles and illnesses in the camp – I had a bad hamstring and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play.
“The team spirit we have right now, everyone gets around each other and wants to play so that’s a good thing.”
The 27-year-old then touched upon his own personal performance, after completing the 90 minutes at less than full fitness.
“I’d say I was at 60 percent today and some of my passes weren’t quite there.
“I had a little hamstring injury but I just want to get out there for the boys and today it’s paid off. Not with the passing though, only with the goal,” he said jokingly.
“I have to [score more]. Last time I scored was against MK Dons. I have to create goals and score goals to earn my place in the team, as well as to take the weight off the strikers’ shoulders.”
The Englishman also talked through his emotions as he reflected upon netting the game’s equaliser in the dying embers.
“It just dropped to me and I put it in so I’m glad we’re still on [the unbeaten run].
“I had a previous shot about ten minutes before and I put it in the stands so I had to make sure I kept concentration to put it in the bottom corner.
“I was buzzing because the fans travelled in numbers today and gave great support. I don’t think we deserved to lose the game so I’m buzzing for them.
“This is a good point for us today but Tuesday’s another game and we want to get three."
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