Mansfield manager Nigel Clough is confident his side’s luck will turn after their winless run reached 12 games with a 0-0 draw against managerless Wigan.
The Stags have not won since January 4 in any competition and sit level on 40 points with their opponents, seven clear of the League One relegation zone.
Mansfield had dominated Saturday’s 1-1 draw with struggling Burton and Clough rued the lack of a killer touch as another opportunity to stop the rot passed them by.
“I thought our overall performance was again very good and we were just searching for that elusive goal, which I think is all it would have taken tonight to win us the game,” he said.
“It was quite a one-sided game in many ways with 23 shots to four. We just needed someone to finish and a ball to drop for us in the box.
“I don’t think we have played badly in this run of games without a win.
“And this is a much better feeling than losing 1-0 which we have done too often in the last few weeks.
“That was our first clean sheet since Boxing Day so it was hugely important.
“We have had three draws in the last five but they could easily have been two or three wins.
“It has to turn if we keep our standards up to the last few games.”
Wigan sacked boss Shaun Maloney after Saturday’s defeat to Reading and put coach Glenn Whelan in interim charge.
He said: “It has been a crazy 24 hours. I have a lot of respect for the manager and it’s never nice when someone loses their job. But that is football. Shaun would be proud of the lads tonight as he is a Wigan man at heart.
“But we have to dust ourselves down now and try to get a tune out of the lads.
“A lot of these players are here because of Shaun and I am sure some are upset with what has gone on and think they played some part in it.
“Being brand new to coaching and being thrown into this role is not something I really wanted as I am only here at Wigan because of Shaun, but I am relishing it.
“Coming to Mansfield, who are fighting for their lives, we knew it would be a tough game and a tough crowd.
“So a point away from home and a clean sheet is something to build on over the coming days.
“Mansfield are under the gun a little bit and desperate for a win. So we knew they would come for us for the first 15-20 minutes.
“But we held our own and with a bit more confidence we might have put a bit more pressure on their keeper and their goal.
“It has been a difficult week so I’m really proud of the lads and what they’ve given us tonight.”
