First team re-run as Stags reserves are pipped at Burton

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Simon Heslop quickly pulled one back early in the second half, but the equaliser eluded them.

Manager Adam Murray said: “A few people said afterwards that it seems a general thing at the minute. We dominate for large periods of games but we are not getting the results.

“The boys were excellent and played some great stuff. We had the majority of the game and created numerous chances. Our work rate was top drawer.

“We had the heart rate monitors on them and we couldn’t have asked for any more.”

The game saw a return to action for centre half John Dempster. But, after a lengthy lay-off with a groin injury, he is still a long way short of a possible first team return.

“John has not played for six months and is trying to get fit at the minute,” said Murray. “He is also doing bits of coaching with the youth set-up as well.”

Murray was going to have an outing himself to boost his fitness but decided against it as he wanted to continue his plans to blood more youngsters this season.

He said: “There is a young lad I am trying to push forward at the minute, I don’t want to say his name. He has been excellent in the youth team this season.

“If I had gone in the team I would have been blocking his path and I didn’t want to do that - and he was the best player on the pitch.”

STAGS RESERVES: Studer, Marsden, Beevers, Dempster (Slone), Shires, Fitzpatrick, Heslop, McGuire, Lambe (Dwyer), Fisher, Rhead.