Mansfield Town

Goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik believes his side deserved a clean sheet following a fiercely-contested 1-1 draw with Cambridge United.

The shot-stopper looked to be on the way to his second clean sheet in the Stags’ Sky Bet League Two campaign before George Maris’ 88th minute equaliser dashed his hopes.

He made a string of fine saves throughout the match to keep the U’s at bay, but they proved to be made in vain when a deflection carried the ball home two minutes from time.

Olejnik aired mixed feelings following the draw at Abbey Road, firstly stating that he felt the defensive performance warranted a clean sheet.

“I think we all did [deserve a clean sheet] because as frustrating as conceding is I think we’ve defended well as a back five,” he began.

“Every corner, every cross I thought we were going to deal with it and we did – it’s just one of those things where we haven’t been able to see the game out.

"I think we all did [deserve a clean sheet] because as frustrating as conceding is I think we’ve defended well as a back five."

“As a goalkeeper you pride yourself on clean sheets and it’s a bit frustrating not to keep that clean sheet. It’s really frustrating at the minute to not see that game out and get the win.”

The 31-year-old also spoke regarding his own form, citing his equal number, Conrad Logan, as one of the main factors behind his run in the Stags side.

“As a ‘keeper you try and be a seven or an eight week in week out, and that’s the objective you go in with.

“You have to give your backline a confidence to rely on their jobs rather than worrying: ‘Oh what’s he going to do behind me’.

“It is frustrating [to not be starting games] and a lot of it is down to Conrad; he’s been outstanding whenever he’s played and it’s been difficult being on the bench but at the same time there’s nothing else I can do apart from watch and learn,” he continued.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do and he [Logan] has taught me a lot in terms of game management because he’s a very experienced goalkeeper.”

Finally, he showed his disappointment in not being able to take all three points following another late goal.

“A win, especially here, would just lift us but at the moment it’s just not quite happening,” he stated.

“Yeah it does [feel like a loss]. It’s always the case when you concede late on I know we’ve got a point but for our objectives this year a point’s not good enough. I think we need to do better next week.

“I just try and take it game by game, do my best and help the lads as much as possible.

"As I said I thought the defenders were outstanding [today] so a lot of credit has to go to them for helping me with my performances in keeping the ball away as much as possible.”

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