Cowley disappointed as Lincoln concede late leveller to Mansfield

Posted Sunday, November 25, 2018 by PA

Danny Cowley admitted the manner of Mansfield’s last-gasp equaliser hurt after his Lincoln side were forced to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw.

The contest between two of League Two’s title contenders looked to be heading the Imps’ way when substitute Kellan Gordon, who is on loan from Derby, fired home his second goal for the club in the 86th minute.

But the Stags kept going and levelled in the third minute of added time through Jacob Mellis’ classy volley.

“We’re not used to conceding late goals so when you do, it hurts,” said Cowley, whose side have made a habit of scoring late goals during his reign at Sincil Bank.

“We’ve scored a lot of late goals, either to win or to earn us a point, so we’re disappointed with how it ended, but pleased with a lot of aspects of the game.

“We started the game really well and got on the front foot. To be fair to Mansfield, they’re a good team and they came back into it in the second part of the first half.

“In the second half, I thought we were really in the ascendancy. We played with more intensity and purpose and got really good foothold in the game.

“It was disappointing that they scored with their only shot on target in the second half.

“But we have suck in the disappointment and use it drive us.”

Cowley felt the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to Town’s dramatic leveller, but refused to be too critical of the officials.

“We’ve watched the video and it clearly goes off for a throw,” added the Imps boss.

“It’s hard for the linesman because it was right on top of him. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes the closer it is, the harder it is to tell.

“I would have liked the fourth official to have played his part then and assisted the assistant referee.

“But it didn’t happen and credit to Jacob Mellis because it was a really controlled finish from the edge of the area.”

Stags boss David Flitcroft was full of praise for his players for a snatching a point after a punishing schedule for his side.

The match was Town’s fifth in a fortnight and Flitcroft said his side was “creaking” with injury and illness.

Hayden White, originally named in the team, injured his hamstring during the warm-up, while other players were struggling during the game.

“The dressing room is absolutely delighted with what they’ve done for each other and what they’ve done for our supporters,” said Flitcroft.

“That’s the key thing, the players can be proud of that. They dug in.

“Ryan Sweeney has been ill and was sick at half-time. Before the game, Hayden White pulled a hamstring before the game so Will Atkinson had to come in.

“CJ [Hamilton] was struggling with tonsillitis before the game and he was a doubt, but I wanted him to play because I knew his pace would worry them. We were creaking.

“That’s eight weeks now that we’ve played Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday because of the success we’ve had in the cup and the replay [against Charlton] on Tuesday.

“The players have had a tough shift and it showed. Lincoln have had a bit of time out and looked fresher than us at times, certainly in the period 60 minutes to 85. They got a foothold in the game at that point.

“I’m absolutely proud of this team and what they’ve achieved. To come to Lincoln and get that draw from being a goal down so late on tells what this team is fighting for.”

Flitcroft was particularly pleased with the fight his players showed.

“I said to the players after the Charlton game that I’ve come from a place in my life, where I grew up, having to fight – that’s what I’ve always done,” he said.

“And I want the team and the town to epitomise that. At Charlton, at 2-0, we were still fighting, but at 3-0 we didn’t fight.

“That didn’t represent me and we have spoken at length about that. So I’m delighted with the fight the players showed today.”