David Flitcroft frustrated with Mansfield’s fourth successive draw

Posted Sunday, August 26, 2018 by PA

Mansfield boss David Flitcroft was left to rue the lack of a cutting edge after his side let their lead slip at Macclesfield and drew their fourth straight game in League Two.

Flitcroft’s side took a deserved lead into the break courtesy of Mal Bennings’ far-post header, but they were pegged back by a resurgent home side in the second half when Harry Smith stroked in from close range.

It left the Stags unbeaten after five league games, but without a win since the opening day of the campaign.

Flitcroft, a former Macclesfield player, said: “We’ve had 14 shots and I think nine on target. We’ve got to be more ruthless with the players we’ve brought in and it was a similar story at Tranmere away from home.

“It’s a belief factor in our attacking play and we’ve carved them open at times but not made the most of it.

“I’m just disappointed we didn’t make more of our dominance at times today and we’ve got to make sure we turn these draws into wins.

“I didn’t feel in any danger at any point this afternoon but we were punished from that one chance that we have allowed them.

“They’d have had no way back if we’d got that second goal to make it 2-0 and we’ve got to be better with the chances to make them count – it’s all about belief.”

Macclesfield remain winless on their return to the English Football League.

They claimed their second point of the campaign when Smith scored his first goal for the club.

Manager Mark Yates said: “Harry was great today. We couldn’t really get him into the game in the first half but after that he certainly deserved his goal.”

Yates was also delighted that his decision to make all three substitutions at half-time paid off.

“We couldn’t get a head of steam up at all in the first half, however second half the ones we brought on showed we’ve got everyone together fighting for that first win,” he said.

“I made one change from Tuesday in a game we dominated, but in that first half we didn’t impose ourselves on the game like we wanted to.”

Yates feels their first win since last season’s promotion is getting closer.

He added: “We’ve been in every game we’ve played so far which makes it frustrating that first win hasn’t come yet.

“We haven’t got the best budget and everything we do matters. Unfortunately when you give the ball away or miss a tackle then you’re punished and we’ve seen that more moving up a league.”