David Flitcroft: Colchester equaliser was a cut right through the heart

Mansfield boss David Flitcroft described Sammie Szmodics’ stoppage-time equaliser as a “cut right through the heart.”

The Colchester striker’s leveller in the fifth minute of time added on denied the Stags the chance to move top of Sky Bet League Two as the game ended 1-1.

Substitute Craig Davies had scored a superb 81st-minute goal worthy of winning any game, but the home side failed to hold on at the death.

“It cut right through the heart when you look at our dominance in the game,” said Flitcroft.

“We patiently broke them down – too patiently in the first half. In the second half we forced issues and were more purposeful.

“I told them after the game ‘whether it’s five or seven minutes that goes up at the end of a game – embrace that time. It is an opportunity to embrace. You’re 1-0 up and you have something to hang on to and protect.’

“That’s the spirit I want to foster. But we let it slip.

“Locking a game down is a key aspect of any outstanding team.

“Clean sheets are the holy grail and that’s what you win titles with. But today we have not protected Craig Davies’ wonder-goal that should have earned three points.

“You have to respect that going 1-0 up is absolutely king.

“But we haven’t defended our box well enough and a long throw has almost gone straight in. It’s cost us three well-earned points and we would have been top of the league.”

Delighted U’s boss John McGreal said: “We all thought it was going to end up as a 0-0, but we’ll take a 1-1.

“It would have been hard on us to lose after the way we had defended.

“This was a very good point as Mansfield are one of the big clubs of this division.

“We knew they had scored six goals on Tuesday night and would come out fast, but I think we smothered them well.

“We thought about taking Sammie off as he looked tired, but he can get you a goal out of nothing so we decided to keep him on.

“This was another tough game away from home ticked off and a good away point. It was brilliant for the away fans to score so late at that end.”