I never thought I was finished, says Stags striker Hearn on comeback

Goal ace Hearn suffered a serious cruciate knee injury in August, his third bad injury in as many seasons, which would have been enough to force some players into retirement.

But Hearn has worked tirelessly and was rewarded with the last 12 minutes off the bench in the 2-1 defeat at Plymouth that leaves Stags in the relegation shake-up with four games to go.

“It was disappointing to lose, but on a personal note it was good to come on,” he said.

“It never crossed my mind I wouldn’t come back.

“I have put in a lot of hard work. Some people probably thought it was the end of me. But I have proved them wrong and I have done that all my life since I was a kid.

“I do feel fully fit now, though I know starting a game is totally different to coming on. I didn’t feel tired during the game and I did some extra runs afterwards and I still don’t feel tired.

“It was difficult. I wanted to do well but at the same time knew I had to keep calm. When I came on I felt my heart racing a bit as I’d been out such a long time.

“Hopefully next game I will be a bit calmer and get the goal I need.

“The physio has given me a programme and people around me have worked hard with me. A huge part of it has been the mental side. But if I hadn’t given it 100 per cent I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I know where I need to be.”

Hearn believes he may have to wait until next season to start a game, but is hoping in the meantime to play a bit part in keeping Stags in the Football League.

“I think a start is a bit ahead of me yet,” he said. “The lads are doing well, though we haven’t scored the goals we deserved. The gaffer has a formula and uses a game plan. With me it’s a bonus to have me coming on. But I think it will be cameo roles for the rest of the season.

“I’d like to thank the fans who clapped me when I was warming up, though I didn’t notice at the time as I was so focused on the game, and fans from everywhere who have backed me.

“The most important thing is seeing the end goal – that desire to be where you want to be in life and in your career is what drives you.”