Midfielder George Maris says Stags’ second-half display was worthy of maximum points, as Mansfield were forced to settle for a point at promotion challengers Gillingham.
The Amber and Blue fought back after conceding inside the opening two minutes, with Davis Keillor-Dunn levelling to earn a draw.
Stags upped the ante in the second period, creating a hatful of opportunities and Maris said after the game: “I thought we did enough to win it, especially in the second-half. It was only us who were going to go on and win it.
“I was disappointed to see us concede so early but after that we had a good little ten-minute spell.
“But in the second-half I thought we should have gone on and won the game.
“We always have the character to come back and we’re never out of the game.
“We rode the storm for 15 minutes and got to it in the second-half.
“Luckily, we got the goal just before half-time. It’s clever from skip [Ollie Clarke] and a good finish from Davo and then second-half we should have took it on and won the game.”
Maris felt Mansfield carved out enough openings to add to their tally.
“There were some good chances out there. They made some good blocks which I don’t think they knew much about and it was one of those days when it didn’t fall for us in front of goal in the second-half.
“I don’t know how many shots we had in the second-half but there were a good number.
“Skip’s had a few, Davo, [Aaron] Lewis. On another day we score three or four and come away with three points which would have been a massive statement to the league.”
Maris was deployed in a role further up the pitch at Priestfield Stadium, slotting in behind Keillor-Dunn and Lucas Akins.
“I enjoyed it,” he said. “I’ve played that position in the past. They make it easy with the runs that they make. I just try and get on the ball and make chances, so I enjoyed it.
“If I can find Lucas and Davo, and Swanny - he’s lightening when he comes on - with killer passes, hopefully we can score some more goals.”
Maris added: “How ever long I’m in there or further back I’ll just enjoy the role I’m given to play.”
