Defender Kelland Watts cited his side’s home victory and clean sheet as a feeling that could hardly be topped after emerging victorious at the expense of Newport County AFC.
The centre-half – on loan from Premier League side Newcastle United – produced a peerless display to help keep the Welsh side at bay.
Danny Rose’s first-half strike ultimately proved to be the difference as he made use of space inside the area to fire beyond goalkeeper Tom King at his near post.
Watts subsequently beamed with pride after securing his first victory in Stags colours.
“It’s a great feeling,” he told iFollow Stags. “First win since coming here and to keep a clean sheet at home, it doesn’t get much better.
“It’s what I want to be doing as an individual and team. You come in the changing room to see the mood of all the lads, you can’t beat it.
“And all the fans coming out, singing all game, it’s just what we want to be doing for them.
“It [the performance] shows the character we’ve got. We’ve been unlucky in recent weeks, if I’m being honest, where we feel like we should have come out with more than what we did.
“So today, to battle like we did under these conditions, credit to all the lads. Credit to everyone.”
Storm Dennis’ appearance expectedly made life difficult for both sides but the 20-year-old instead relished the opportunity to battle his way through the Sky Bet League Two contest.
“I loved it, to be fair, I thought everyone was enjoying it.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve been on the wrong side of some results but when everyone’s enjoying it there’s no better feeling going to battle with your teammates.
“Everyone was together and it’s what you love to see.
“Believe me it [the conditions] was bad. It was windy, raining but you just had to roll your sleeves up and say you’re going to be counted. It felt like nothing was going to get past us today.”
The former Stevenage loanee also notched his first professional goal on Tuesday at Leyton Orient – a moment he hopes to build upon before the conclusion of the season.
“Being on the wrong side of the victory was disappointing, but it was good to finally get my first professional goal,” Watts added.
“I can hopefully kick on and add a few more towards the end of the season.
“I’m an honest lad, I work hard and I think if I can do you can’t really go far wrong.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Kelland's interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow.
