Flitcroft denied first Mansfield win as penalty decision goes against Stags

Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2018 by PA

David Flitcroft believes his side should have been awarded a penalty, as his winless run as Mansfield Town manager was extended to eight games following a 1-1 draw at Stevenage.

Stags wing-back Hayden White was booked for what referee Seb Stockbridge felt was a dive over Joe Martin’s challenge in the hosts’ area after Will Atkinson had equalised early in the second half.

Despite Manfield’s own run without a victory stretching to nine matches, they moved a point nearer the play-offs in League Two ahead of Saturday’s local derby at Chesterfield.

Flitcroft said: “I do believe, a million per cent, it was a penalty – Whitey has crossed his line, the kid’s having to catch up because Whitey is quick and he’s just come across him and made the tackle and he’s gone down.

“If he doesn’t, then Whitey has one more touch and maybe gets a shot off or gets a cross in.

“We’re unfortunate to not get a penalty, but the lads certainly gave everything they could and I thought every time we passed the ball well in their half, we created a chance.

“We were calm in our work, some good combinations and I thought there was some really good work and some opportunities that we should have done better with.

“It was a League Two game, it was hustle and bustle, but when we got it down and it was calm we hit the strikers and had runners going in.”

Stevenage went ahead after 15 minutes when slack marking allowed Martin to slide a low corner for Danny Newton to lash past Conrad Logan with a first-time shot.

Mansfield hit back six minutes after the restart, as Johnny Hunt’s dangerous cross was left by Kane Hemmings for Atkinson to finish well on the half-volley.

Stevenage manager Dino Maamria said: “We worked very hard and I’ve just told them in the dressing room that a few weeks ago we would have lost that game. That’s a big positive.

“We clearly weren’t at our best tonight, but what’s positive about that is when you’re not at your best, you can still grind out a point.

“We had a lot of clear chances and unfortunately, we didn’t get the rub of the green to win it.

“But overall, I thought we were a little bit tired and I made changes in the second half.

“If you look through the last two weeks – two wins, two draws – it’s very, very positive, so I’m happy with that.

“They were four big games, really, because Mansfield tonight were pushing to get into the play-offs – they were unfortunate to lose to Crewe on Saturday and tonight they showed the quality of the players they’ve got.”