Forward Davis Keillor-Dunn says today’s victory was ’for the fans’ as his sensational first-half strike helped Stags to a 1-0 win over Notts County in the Nottinghamshire Derby at One Call Stadium.
The number 40 floated an incredible curled effort into the top right corner from outside the box on eight minutes to convert his 15th goal of the season.
Keillor-Dunn’s match-winning notch moves Stags up to second place in Sky Bet League Two.
The 26-year-old was ecstatic whilst speaking to iFollow Stags post-match and said: “I’m delighted for everyone at the club. That one was for the fans. Go and enjoy it.
“I thought we deserved it. We defended really well. We really had a good go, we had a few more chances to score. I know they had a couple of chances in the first-half, but I thought we defended brilliantly.
“I thought we looked as solid [at the back today] as we have been all season.
“The boys were solid all game. I didn’t think they really had a clear-cut chance in the second half.”
The lively attacker felt he had been due a goal from just outside the box this season and was delighted to convert in such an important game.
He said: “[I just had to] Take my chance. I’ve been waiting all season to get one in that area, on the edge of the box. I’m surprised I hit it so cleanly.
“He’s a good goalkeeper [Aidan Stone], he’s been here before and the fans know him as well. Sometimes it’s got to be [a] really pinpoint [finish] to beat these ‘keepers. They watch you, they analyse you all the time. I like to cut in and get shots off in that far corner and luckily it was right in the corner and he couldn’t get a hand to it.
“It’s got to be right up there [as one of my best this season]. I thought the overhead kick at Accrington was nice but that one [today] just goes ahead.”
Keillor-Dunn felt he and his teammates were buoyed by the raucous atmosphere generated by the home supporters inside One Call Stadium. He said: “The fans, we were just saying that there wasn’t a spare seat [in the house].
“[The atmosphere was] Electric, unbelievable. The fans were incredible. These are the days you want as a player, those derby games. It was outstanding and I enjoyed being a part of that today.
“We miss every player who’s injured, there’s probably too many of them to name. Once we get them back we’ll be even stronger. We’ve got to keep putting the wins together for those lads to come back.
“You’ve got to just dig deep. Whoever’s name [is] on that team sheet you’ve got to give 100% every single game.”
