Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was left to rue missed chances on his return to the Pirelli Stadium as his Stags side had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw with Burton.
In a scrappy game Stags fell behind to a deflected Owen Dodgson goal for Albion before former Mansfield defender Ryan Sweeney deflected Louis Reed’s cross in for the equaliser, ex-Albion striker Lucas Akins missing a late penalty for all three points.
“I thought the first half was pretty even and luck was going against us again with a deflected goal which is indicative of the way things are going for us at the moment.” Clough said ruing Stags’ luck as their winless run extended to 11 games.
“We came out in the second half, and I thought we were absolutely magnificent.” Clough said praising his side’s character in the face of their poor run of form.
“We had chances that were scuffed away or hit people on the shins,” Clough said. “And that’s the way it is going and then to cap it off we miss a penalty in the 89th minute which would have sealed the victory.”
Akins won the penalty following a challenge from Jack Armer and having been a regular from the spot for both Albion and Mansfield backed himself to score before firing over the bar.
“We would have hoped that he would score it,” Clough added. “But maybe coming back to your old club there is an argument to say maybe not take it and let Jordan Rhodes take it, but he was confident and is a good penalty taker, just not on this occasion.”
Burton head coach Gary Bowyer acknowledged that his side were far from at their best but was delighted with the spirt and character his side showed to pick up another important point.
“It’s a brilliant point for us. We didn’t play our best by a long stretch of the imagination but what we have shown is an unbelievable spirit to dig in and fight for each other,” Bowyer said.
Albion owed much to numerous saves from keeper Max Crocombe, something Bowyer was keen to acknowledge alongside having to change his plans with late injuries affecting the squad in the build-up to the match.
“I have to say that is one of the best goalkeeping performances I have seen. Max was outstanding,” Bowyer added.
“We have had probably the most disrupted week since I have been here with Bodvarsson being out and we lost Rumarn Burrell on Thursday and Kegs Chauke this morning so in terms of the players coming out there and giving it everything they have got it is a fantastic point.”
And Bowyer felt no nerves when Akins placed the ball on the spot for the penalty.
“I turned to Pat [Lyons] and said that Max was going to save it, just because of the game he was having. He’s done better than that in forcing him to miss it.”
