Stags desperate to end spot kick woe

After poor kicks by Danny Rose and Jimmy Spencer were saved, it was new boy Kane Hemmings who was denied in the 1-1 draw at Carlisle United

“We will have a look at it this week,” said assistant boss Paul Raynor after manager Steve Evans had joked his wide would be taking the next one.

“We were confident with the way he’d (Hemings) been taking them in training.

“I think Lee Angol was trying to grab the ball off him, but Kane was always going to be the number one penalty taker.

“We will certainly be practising them in training again this week. No one can say we haven’t practised them as we have and I am sure the next one to step up will stick the ball in the back of the net.”

Raynor continued: “I think we have to give credit to the goalkeeper on Saturday. The other two penalties were a little bit weak and disappointing with Jimmy and Danny.

“But, to be fair, we have been watching Kane taking them all week and he has been banging them into the top corners and bottom corners and that was very positive that he was going to stick the ball in the net.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to give credit to the goalkeeper for a good save.

“It is disappointing and we can understand the fans’ frustration. We are as frustrated as they are. “But it will turn. We’ve just got to keep going, keep getting in those areas and create these opportunities from the penalty spot.

“Hopefully someone can stick one in the net.”