Praise from Nigel Clough for late fightback against Newport County

Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough was pleased to see his side grind out a gutsy 1-1 home draw with promotion-chasing Newport County tonight, but frustrated that victory continues to be elusive.
Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough.Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough.
Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough.

Clough conceded it was a good point against a good side, but with no wins in eight games and relegation fears still not fully put to bed, he remains frustrated.

Tyrese Sinclair's late equaliser – his first goal for the club – earned what had looked an unlikely draw and Clough said: “It is another top team that we have more than matched for large parts of the game and could well have beaten.

“They are a good side and if there's one team you don't want to go 1-0 down to with 15 minutes left it's Newport.

“It's frustrating not getting the wins but it's another point on the board towards safety.

“It's a difficult one to say we are pleased with a point as we had chances and situations to win the game.

“I didn't think we were very good at all first half, despite having an early chance. We were nowhere near where we have been.

“Second half we were much improved but then came our Achilles heel again and two mistakes cost us a goal.

“We were in the ascendency and if anyone was going to win it it was us. We'd hit the post again.

“Then George Maris gives the ball away in a very dangerous position. The lad hits a reasonable shot and it goes straight through the goalkeeper.

“So with 15 minutes to go from that situation to get an equaliser and nearly go on and win it I was ultimately pleased with that.”

On Sinclair's goal, he smiled: “It was lovely to see Tyrese get his goal tonight.

“He played well and it's a big thing to get your first senior goal in the league and everyone is delighted for him. It was a great finish.

“The nice thing is in the last couple of games we've been drawing and it's been us looking for the winner. We think that's the best way of defending, going for another goal.

"It would be nice to get that win to make sure we are safe and then we can relax a bit.”