Mansfield Town

Neal Bishop believes the performance against Oldham Athletic yielded plenty of positive signs despite it ending as a 0-0 draw.

Mansfield Town dominated possession at One Call Stadium but frustratingly lacked the final touch that would have easily clinched the victory on the night.

The general standard of play was extremely high – to the point where the result never correlated with the performance on the pitch.

Bishop, who put in yet another man of the match performance, aired his disbelief that the Stags were unable find the back of the net on Tuesday evening.

“I don’t really know what you say in the dressing room after a performance like that,” he began.

“I think we’ve probably played better than what we did Saturday and we’ve come away with two less points.

“It was massively frustrating – we’ve done everything right apart from the most important bit which is sticking the ball in the back of the net.

“We’ve turned them, spun them, played in-behind, created little one-twos and done everything apart from score so it’s hard for me to be too negative.”

The midfielder also recognises the positives that should be taken from the match as he believes the standard matched Saturday’s 4-0 romping of Northampton Town.

“I think if we’d have scored early you’d have seen a result like Saturday because the game opens up more and they have to come out.

“We’ve turned them, spun them, played in-behind, created little one-twos and done everything apart from score so it’s hard for me to be too negative.”

“The pitch all of a sudden opens up but I think they’ve come here and showed us massive respect by the way they’ve set up,” he continued.

“They’ve come down from League One – sixth in the league – and gave themselves a round of applause in the dressing room, so it just shows you how highly they regard us.

“I’m frustrated beyond belief but the chances are there and it’s early on in the season so they are coming.

“You’d be more worried if we weren’t creating chances; it’s just a matter of being ruthless and sticking the knife in when we have teams on the ropes” Bishop admitted.

The 37-year-old continues to produce top quality displays from central midfield, typified tonight as he collected yet another man of the match award.

“It could have gone to any of the lads tonight, so I’m not sure why I got it [man of the match].

“I’m still as driven as ever, enjoying my football as I did when I was a kid and I think that shows.

“I love playing football and I love being with the lads. I love trying to win games of football and I really want to be part of something this season – that’s why I joined.

“It’s important to get that recovery in now, look after ourselves and get ourselves in for training on Thursday. Home, away, Bury – wherever it may be we’ll be looking for a win so that’ll be no different.”

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