Steve Evans hails Mansfield character after late win at Morecambe

Posted Sunday, January 28, 2018 by PA

Mansfield moved up to third in Sky Bet League Two after a 94th-minute Mal Benning goal gave them a dramatic three points at the Globe Arena.

Benning got the final touch to a goalmouth scramble to give the Stags a vital victory in their push for promotion.

Boss Steve Evans was understandably a happy man and praised his side’s spirit after the come-from-behind win.

“These lads have a great character and we saw that today,” said Evans.

“The match was definitely a game of two halves and we were like chalk and cheese.

“I had to smash it up at half-time. We were poor in the first half and I had to make two changes at the break to change things around a bit and it worked.

“I wanted to give some players the opportunity to make a difference and we were much better in the second half and we kept at it right to the death.

“When you play as well as we did in the second half you expect the goals to come but the dressing room is definitely a happy place after winning in such fashion.”

Evans’ side had to come from behind after Morecambe took a deserved lead on the half-hour with a poacher’s goal from Callum Lang.

The second half was a different affair, however, as Evans changed his system successfully.

The visitors dominated possession with CJ Hamilton forcing Barry Roche into a neat save and Kane Hemmings going close before top scorer Danny Rose proved his worth once again with a neat close-range finish from a left-wing cross 20 minutes from time.

Chances came at either end with Andy Fleming’s shot blocked by Rhys Bennett and Hemmings going close before Benning’s scrappy but vital winner.

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley found it hard to hide his frustration as his side failed to hold onto their half-time lead.

He said: “I am so down it is untrue. To be undone again so late in the game is so frustrating.

“We were great in the first half and the only downside for us was that we didn’t add to our lead.

“Mansfield came at us in the second half but we restricted them to very little.

“The first goal was a killer for us and it came after a clear foul in the build-up which made it all the more frustrating. That goal gave them a lift and to lose in such fashion was horrible.”