Graham Coughlan praises Mansfield Town’s ‘dominant’ performance against Tranmere Rovers

Neither side could break the deadlock at One Call Stadium as League Two action got underway this afternoon.

However, manager Coughlan believes there were plenty of positives to take from the stalemate.

"(It was) very pleasing. A very pleasing performance," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"The lads have done everything we asked of them apart from putting the ball in the net.

"I thought we were the dominant team against a team I spoke of highly. I think the bookies have the two teams in a relatively positive position to maybe achieve something this year.

"Overall when two good teams go head to head, I don't think I could have asked for much more from my players other than putting the ball in the net."

While the Stags carved out chances, it just wasn't there day.

But Coughlan believes more is to come from his newly-assembled squad.

He added: "Yes, lady luck has turned her back on us. On another day we may not play so well and still get a little but of luck.

"But that's football and overall I've got to be reatively pleased with the clean sheet and performance, individually and collectively; the battling spirit, that's amongst them, the character in the dressing room. There were some nice patterns of play and real nice quality shown at times.

"Now we need to grow and push on with that type of performance."

Keeper Marek Stech had a quiet afternoon, which pleased the manager.

"His idea of being funny, he's hung his kit up in the dressing room and told the kit man not to wash it," Coughlan revealed.

"But at the end of the day he's had one save (to make). Everything else was routine.

"But top teams, if you're going to do anything you have to be built on a solid foundation.

"If you're going to achieve anything you have a top goalie in your net. We've got a top goalie."

MATCH REPORT: Stags 0 Tranmere Rovers 0