David Flitcroft says Mansfield can still reach play-offs despite Port Vale draw - 7M sport

David Flitcroft says Mansfield can still reach play-offs despite Port Vale draw



Posted Sunday, April 22, 2018 by PA

David Flitcroft says Mansfield can still reach play-offs despite Port Vale draw

Mansfield boss David Flitcroft refused to give up on his side’s promotion ambitions despite a costly 1-1 home draw with Port Vale.

Tom Pope’s 89th-minute header saw the Stags drop two crucial points and, with two games to go, they are now three points off the top seven having played a game more.

The hosts wasted great chances to kill off Port Vale both before and after Kyle Howkins’ own goal had put Mansfield in the driving seat.

Flitcroft said: “Knowing football for a long time I think it will still go to the last game.

“But that was our chance today to really assert the mental pressure on the other teams and we’ve given them the advantage now.

“There are twists and turns every season, that’s what we see constantly, and that’s what we will get ready for next week.

“We know what we’ve got to do now. We’ve got to take the six points and hope someone slips up.”

On his side’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal, Flitcroft added: “We were not ruthless enough.

“We’ve created chance after chance and completely dominated them in one of the most one-sided games I’ve ever seen.

“But, unless you put a team to the sword you’re still giving them hope.

“We gave them hope to carry on to the end when we should have been out of sight. It was in our grasp, we had the three points and let it slip.”

Vale keeper Sam Hornby was in fine form as a string of saves kept Stags at bay while Alfie Potter scuffed a great chance and Danny Rose headed over from six yards.

But when a poor Rose shot was cleared by Charlie Raglan, the ball struck Howkins and went into his own net on 72 minutes.

However, right at the death, top scorer Pope rose to head home a Dan Turner cross for his 18th goal of the season.

That late strike also made sure Vale were safe from the drop and boss Neil Aspin said: “I am delighted. Although you think you are safe, because there is that mathematical doubt you suddenly start wondering what might happen. That doubt eats away at your mind.

“So it’s a relief to be safe. It would be wrong to be celebrating a season that has been such a bad season and I am not trying to gloss over it.

“It’s not a time to pat ourselves on the back. It’s a time where we know we need to do better so we’re not in this position again.

“When I first took over I knew it was going to be a really difficult job. But we got points on the board early which we needed.

“I’ve always felt we could get to safety but there have been times when the luck goes against you and you just wonder if you’re not going to get over the line.”

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