David Artell believes Grimsby showed Chesterfield “way too much respect” after going ahead early in their 1-1 draw at Blundell Park.
Jordan Davies gave the hosts a 17th-minute lead after a promising start, but the visitors had the stronger response after the opener and deservedly equalised through a Tom Naylor header in the 33rd minute.
Grimsby responded after the break and the second half was much more even, with neither side willing to concede too much territory and relinquish control.
Artell had mixed emotions after the game, saying: “I thought we were the better team for the first 15 to 20 minutes, but we then showed them way too much respect for the rest of the first half.
“We got back on the front foot after the break but couldn’t quite get the goal, though it was not from a lack of trying.
“It’s a bit of an unusual feeling with this being our first draw at home this season because we are used to the contrasting emotions that come with winning or losing.
“Our next big step forward is a mental one in making the team understand that we’re as good as Chesterfield and others around us.
“For whatever reason, we mentally took a step back after scoring because we felt the need to be deeper to stay in front.”
Chesterfield assistant manager Daniel Webb felt a point was a good result to halt a run of close defeats.
He said: “It almost felt like we had gone in at half-time in the lead because we’d played so well and dominated the play, but we knew Grimsby are a good team so they would have a response.
“They showed the threats they have on a couple of counter-attacks towards the end of the game, and they might have felt they could have nicked the win because we felt the same way.
“I said that they’re a big club with high expectations, so to come here off the back of three straight defeats and earn a point is a good result.
“I don’t want to use the phrase ‘stop the rot’ because I think we performed well in that time.
“It’s important that we didn’t go under and concede again after the first goal because, from past experience, that can happen often when you’re playing away and you can end up letting in three or four.
“I bigged this game up as a bit of a rivalry, and they’re one of the biggest rivals we have in this league. I think it was a good battle from a neutral standpoint.”
