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Stags boss Paul Cox praises Mansfield fans after thrilling 2-2 draw with Luton
DESPITE a superb showing against Luton Town today, Stags boss Paul Cox admitted it felt like two points lost in the epic 2-2 draw at the One Call Stadium.
Ben Hutchinson grabbed an early goal but, after Luton hit back against the run of play to go 2-1 up, Matt Green rescued a thoroughly deserved point near the end.
Cox said: “The performance today was excellent but it’s probably two points lost as we played so well.
“We defended well for the majority of the game and only silly errors cost us getting all three points.
“The hunger and desire was there. I thought we were in our mode and we had one or two players stepping up to the mark.
“We are starting to look like a side that may do something this season.
“Most importantly it was a good team performance and the lads were a bit unlucky.
“No-one is singing from the rooftops as we didn’t win today.
“But there is something building now with this group and that pleases me more than the result. We are showing the same spirit and desire we showed last season.
“We are looking a cohesive unit and the boys are running for each other and fighting for each other.”
For sub Matt Green, who bagged 30 goals last season, it was a first goal since 4th September.
Cox said: “We threw caution to the wind near the end with three strikers and it was nice to see Matt Green get that monkey off his back.
“Sometimes the harder he tried the worse it got. I have had to put an arm round his shoulder and love him a bit.
“He and Jake Speight are both potential 25 goals a season strikers. They are both champing at the bit to play now.”
Cox also paid tribute to the fans, adding: “The supporters were brilliant again today. They were trying to suck the ball into the net. When they do that, this can be an intimidating place to come.
“They are such a major factor and give the players confidence. They feed off the fans.”
Keeper Shane Redmond was beaten by Andre Gray from the tightest of angles for the Luton equaliser and Cox added: “Shane is probably a bit disappointed with it.
“He will probably hold his hands up to it.”
Defensive pair Exodus Geohaghon and Lee Beevers both picked up their fifth bookings of the season and miss the trip to Macclesfield on Tuesday.
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Weather for Mansfield
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
