Colchester United boss Steve Ball praises reinvigorated Mansfield Town, but believes U's should have taken three points

“We created good chances and should have won the game,” he says...
Noah Chilvers, pictured chasing George Lapslie, wasted a golden opportunity as he headed towards Marek Stech in the first half. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTDNoah Chilvers, pictured chasing George Lapslie, wasted a golden opportunity as he headed towards Marek Stech in the first half. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD
Noah Chilvers, pictured chasing George Lapslie, wasted a golden opportunity as he headed towards Marek Stech in the first half. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD

Colchester United head coach Steve Ball was happy to earn a late point at Mansfield Town - but believes his side should have left with all three.

Luke Norris' 85th-minute equaliser earned the U's a point at One Call Stadium last night, cancelling out Nicky Maynard's opener, a powerful drive which flew threw the grasp of United keeper Dean Gerken.

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But Ball wanted more, believing his side had the better of the early and latter stages.

"I think we'll take the point in the end," he told BBC Essex.

"I thought we dominated the possession first half; one great chance with Noah Chilvers, great move.

"I don't think we really showed conviction in the final third. I thought we looked good on the ball and actually had lots of possession.

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"It was a bit of a freak goal to concede but I thought we really got to grips with it in the last 20 minutes and fully deserved a point."

Ball praised the way Nigel Clough has turned around the Stags' fortunes in recent weeks, but still felt his side could have nicked a winner.

He continued: "Nigel's got them really going here, and they're a much-changed team in terms of picking up results.

"I think that gives confidence and I think you can certainly see the confidence in them as far as their organisation, they worked for each other.

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"But I do believe we were the better side over the 90 minutes.

"I think they gave us a lot of respect by their shape change. They just tweaked it a little, they went a bit more of a flat four and dropped George Lapslie in deeper to accommodate our quick players.

"But I think they've got some quality players. They've got a real fit edge to them.

"But we created some good chance and should have won the game."

MORE STAGS: Mansfield Town v Colchester United - in pictures

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