Delighted that Mansfield Town had finally ended their seven-match losing run in the draw, but disappointed that they had not taken more of their chances and won the game.

The Stags created the better chances in a goalless first half, led two minutes into the second half through Simon Brown before being pegged back by Liam Hatch's equaliser.

• Match report

Then only a fine penalty save by keeper Carl Muggleton stopped them losing an eighth successive match.

Dearden said at the final whistle: "We made enough chances to win the game. We played some good football, particularly in the first half, and we were disappointed to be 0-0 at half-time.

"Then again we lost a player through injury, it disrupted us, but we worked very, very hard.

"'Browny' took his goal very well, perhaps his ears were ringing from half-time because he should have scored just before half-time. I am pleased for him, let's hope this is the start of a run of goals for him.

"It was a tremendous save by Carl and young Goward was great. We thought he could do a bit of a job for us. For a first league game Underhill is a very difficult place to come and make your mark and he did okay.

"I am just glad we have stopped the rot and at a place like Barnet where it is very, very difficult to come.

"We have tightened up at the back, created a lot of chances - which I always said we would with this side - and can take a lot of positives from this."

But Stags were beset with more injury problems.

"We have had to reorganise again and we have lost players again so they deserve a real pat on the back," added Dearden.

"They stuck at it and worked very hard.

"John McAliskey broke down in training on Thursday. Sean McAllister was ill and, though we brought him down and he went for a jog and a walk, he didn't feel too good so we left him out.

"Then Dan Martin limped off and I thought he was having a storming game up until then."

• Praise for debutant


• Muggleton the spot kick hero


• A weight off Brown's shoulders