Mansfield Town: ‘We’ve got plenty more to give’, says Stags boss Adam Murray

Stags were pegged back to a 1-1 draw against Carlisle United on the opening day of the season after they had gone ahead through Malvind Benning’s first half wondergoal.

But a defensive lapse in first-half injury-time allowed the Cumbrians back into the match.

Stags pushed in the second half, with Clements and Green both going close to bagging the winner.

But, despite the dropped points, Murray has hailed his side’s ability to pick up the point despite not being at their best.

“Having analysed the game on Sunday, I was very pleased with the performance,” he said.

“I felt we were only at 60 per cent of what we can do, but I felt that we were never going to lose the game.

“If anyone was going to win it, it was going to be us. It is pleasing to have felt like that even though we were not at our best.

“It was a good competitive workout, which is what we needed.

“As a team we can get better and this draw gives us a platform that we can build upon.

“I was pleased with the willingness and workrate of the players to put things right.

“We wanted the three points, but it is good to get us off the mark with.”

Murray also felt the draw gave his side a valuable wake-up call on how demanding League Two will be this season.

“There were plenty of new players who were looking to impress and there was a tension there during the first half,” he added.

“We made errors and put them on the front foot as as result, but to have played average and still get a point is pleasing.

“This result will give the players a wake-up call and let them know what League Two is all about.

“League Two is high tempo and intense and if you are not up to playing like that then you are going to get caught out.

“It was a poor goal to concede and there was a lack of understanding in the defence, but the partnerships will develop and we will gel as the games go on.

Stags travel to Notts County on Friday night as they look to build on their encouraging start.