David Flitcroft and Paul Tisdale happy with a point

Posted Sunday, October 28, 2018 by PA

Mansfield boss David Flitcroft and MK Dons manager Paul Tisdale agreed a 1-1 draw was a fair outcome as League Two’s two meanest defences met in a thriller at Field Mill.

On a freezing cold and windswept afternoon, Jacob Mellis fired the hosts ahead before Jordan Houghton equalised in a 1-1 draw.

Flitcroft said: “It was possibly a fair result.

“It was two very good teams and both sets of players committed to an end-to-end game of football.

“They are the best team we have come up against and I thought first half we were really good, dominating on the front foot.

“In every league you get some teams that want to spoil proceedings, but today you had two teams who wanted to go and win a game and go for the jugular.

“They moved the ball around the pitch well. In terms of style of play, MK Dons are probably one of the best teams at it in the league. They have a brilliant manager who understands that philosophy.”

A thrilling first half saw Tyler Walker come close to a hat-trick and CJ Hamilton twice denied.

But Mansfield were ahead in the 17th minute when a poor Mal Benning free-kick was cleared to Mellis, who from 25 yards, rocketed a half-volley home.

After efforts from Chuks Aneke and Joe Walsh went straight at Bobby Olejnik, the goalkeeper was beaten all ends up after 24 minutes as Houghton looked up from 25 yards and sent a rising shot under the near angle.

Aneke was then unlucky when he turned well to strike a post in the 35th minute.

Olejnik then made two good saves in a second half in which the two in-form defences were on top.

Tisdale said: “It was a fabulous game with both sides trying to win it.

“It was a windy day and I thought our players managed to play good football, despite the conditions. So I am really proud of them.

“We did enough to score a second. But Mansfield also worked really hard for their point too. I am not belittling the effort they put in and how hard they tried to win the game too.”

On Mellis’ strike for the Stags, he said: “It’s very hard to criticise anyone when the ball is rocketed in from 25 yards. Maybe should have cleared it a bit better from the original clearance.”

On the equaliser, Tisdale added: “I don’t think Jordan will be up there in those sort of positions that often.

“But his game is developing and, when you get the opportunity, he is a safe pair of hands when it comes to striking a ball. It was a sweet strike and a lovely goal.”