Forward Davis Keillor-Dunn says Mansfield’s ‘amazing’ away support acted as their ‘twelfth man’ in the team’s 3-1 away victory over AFC Wimbledon.
The 25-year-old superbly converted Stags’ third on 77 minutes, adding to Riley Harbottle (30’) and Danny Johnson’s (66’) clinical earlier notches to wrap up the contest.
The January signing has been in prolific form since joining from Burton Albion on deadline day, registering three goals and two assists in amber and blue.
The Nottinghamshire side were backed by 905 traveling Stags inside Cherry Red Records Stadium in South West London, something the 25-year-old felt made a difference on the pitch.
“[The supporters were] absolutely amazing,” he said. “To come down to London [with] the expense, the cost, it’s not cheap [and] they just sang all game. They were louder than the home fans again today. It really is a twelfth man for us and hopefully they keep doing that all season for us.”
“[The result was] massive.
“We knew we weren’t good enough last week [against Salford] and we had to put it right [today]. It was just about getting straight into the next game, which we did.
“It feels really good. [I’m] just looking forward to the next game now, keep them coming.”
Keillor-Dunn was encouraged by Mansfield’s patience and composure in the final third to capitalise on goalscoring opportunities when they arose.
“We were a little bit slow getting out the blocks [in] the first 15 minutes,” he told iFollow Stags after the match.
“Riley [Harbottle] got us back in the game and gave us a good chance. We went in 1-1 at half time and we knew we had to come out all guns blazing second half and put on a performance.
“We had a few chances in the first half and we were thinking ‘surely one is going to drop [for us]’. We know we’ve got goals in the team so we weren’t nervous [in front of goal]. [We knew if we] just kept playing the way we were, the chances would come.
“[I’m] buzzing for Dan [Danny Johnson] to get on and get his goal. He’s been patient and he’s working hard, [I’m] delighted for him. [For] myself as well, it’s nice to get on the scoresheet and put some distance between us and the other team in the game.”
Stags’ number 40 delivered the game’s killer blow on 77 minutes when he cut inside from the right, skilfully shifted the ball onto his left foot to round the defender, before driving it low into the bottom corner.
Keillor-Dunn said: “I just saw the full-back charging over so I thought if I get it onto my left it might wrong foot him, and luckily it did. I gained a few yards and slotted it in with my left.
“I actually thought it wasn’t one of my best games. It was just nice to get on the scoresheet and get the win. The wins are more important, the goals are second for me. I want to [help] get this club out of the league, it’s as simple as that.
“I just want us to win games. I’d take [scoring] no goals and we go up. Hopefully we can win games and I score goals so everybody’s happy.”
