Mansfield Town forward Jordan Bowery says the team’s ability to ‘nick’ an important 1-0 victory over Rochdale at Crown Oil Arena was ‘important’.
The 30-year-old’s seventh League Two goal of the season secured all three points for the Stags in Greater Manchester last night.
The number nine's dramatic finish ended Rochdale’s 11-game unbeaten home league record and reignited Mansfield’s charge towards the automatic promotion places.
Having been left out of the Stags’ starting XI for the last two games, Bowery admitted it was nice to return with a result-clinching goal.
“I’ve not been playing as much recently so it’s nice to come back in and get a goal,” he said.
“I was on a good run of form [but] the lads have done well whilst I’ve not been playing.
“As a striker you always want to be on the pitch trying to score goals. Everyone wants to be playing but we’ve got a good squad. It was just so nice to get on the pitch and score a goal.
“The main thing is the three points. The lads were brilliant, they limited them [Rochdale] to few chances. It’s a great clean sheet and a great win.”
The former Crewe man says his attacking instincts kicked in, to lose his marker and get on the end of Rhys Oates’ superb cross in the 86thminute.
Bowery said: “I did my best to get into the box. I saw Oatesy [Rhys Oates] go down the wing and get past his man. There was a massive gap between the goalie and the centre-half, and I thought ‘I’ve just got to get myself in there, I could get a tap in’.
“I just concentrated on getting a good contact [on it] because I remember I got a good chance at Harrogate away where I should’ve scored, so I tried to put a bit more power on this one and get it over the line.
“It’s such a nice feeling, it’s the best feeling ever as a striker.”
The goalscorer alluded to Mansfield’s tough run of upcoming fixtures, but takes confidence in Stags’ versatile squad and spurring supporters.
“Every game is going to be tough, and we’ve got to be at it,” he said.
“We’ve got a big squad. They’re all senior pro’s who are fighting to get into the team and they could all get into most League Two teams so it’s good competition. It’s good to have. Everyone wants to be playing but there’s only eleven shirts out there.
“There are so many players that can fill in different positions and that’s good to have as well.
“If we can nick another 1-0 win like today [in future matches] it’ll be perfect. Especially for those travelling fans that follow us everywhere we go in good numbers.
“I can’t express it enough. I’ve said it before, they’re [the Stags’ fans] brilliant. They’re the best fans that I’ve played in front of. They’re constantly chanting, it’s good to hear and it pushes the lads on.”
