Mansfield Town matchwinner Ollie Palmer says winning goal was no fluke

Palmer’s leg turned home a low Sam Clucas shot to win the day after he had come on as a half-time substitute.

Earlier, Stags had arrived late at the ground through heavy traffic and gone behind after only 50 seconds before Clucas levelled things up from the spot.

Then came Palmer’s winner and he said:“Of course I meant it! Call it a Dennis Bergkamp finish if you like.

“Clukes (Sam Clucas) got in a shot from about 25 yards which came towards me and I just stuck my foot out and tried to redirect it – and fortunately it went in.

“When the coach was delayed the gaffer made it clear that wasn’t going to be used as an excuse. The boys still got a good warm-up. But maybe we didn’t start as sharp today and they got a goal early on.

“But we showed we have a team of winners – that shone through as we took all three points away from home.”

The youngster has had limited opportunities to start games so far, but added: “Jumping up two divisions I never expected to start each week. I am adapting from being part-time to full-time.

“But I hope now people are starting to believe in me a bit.”

“If I come off the bench I come off the bench or if I start I start, the team getting three points is the most important thing.

“I am about 90-95 per cent fit now. But at my last club I was used to being the fittest player on the pitch which I was never going to be here straight away, coming to this level with full-time professionals.”