David Flitcroft thrilled after Mansfield secure comeback win against Yeovil

Posted Sunday, April 29, 2018 by PA

David Flitcroft was a happy man after Mansfield twice came from behind to beat Yeovil 3-2 and remain in the hunt for the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

The Stags had to win at Huish Park to stay within three points of Lincoln and Coventry above them going into the final game of the season.

Mansfield trailed 1-0 at the break and also went 2-1 down in the second half, but substitute Lee Angol came off the bench at half-time to score twice and help seal the three points.

“I’m delighted with the result,” said Mansfield manager Flitcroft.

“Yeovil, you could argue, weren’t really playing for anything today but they fought hard and they fought until the last minute, throwing bodies forward and trying to get a result.

“It’s their last home game of the season and they wanted to show their fans that they’re fighting for them and that’s what you get in League Two.

“The game-plan was to have an intensity and as soon as we had intensity in the second half, Yeovil struggled to deal with that and we had some really good opportunities in their box. We’ve not let our heads go down, we kept fighting and kept defiant.

“In the second-half performance there was more tempo, more energy, more drive and just more belief.

“I think the turning point was certainly Lee coming on. He started off the half really well. The goal to win the game was absolutely outstanding.”

While Flitcroft said he would need to see the two penalties that were given – one at either end – again before deciding if they were justified or not, opposite number Darren Way was more sceptical, especially after having Omar Sowunmi sent off late on for two yellow cards.

“It was a crazy game, end to end and we knew it would be like that but I think the game will be remembered for the referee because I think he lost control,” the Glovers boss said.

“We had a stonewall penalty turned down when Francois Zoko was fouled and it was a shame because we wanted to win our last home game of the season.

“Refereeing is at its lowest point right now and the decision not to award this penalty was laughable, everyone around the ground was laughing when it wasn’t given.

“He didn’t have to send off Omar Sowunmi but he set his standards early on with yellow cards and that led to Omar’s sending off.

“Mansfield improved in the second half and their intensity went through the roof and I was disappointed with how we dealt with that.

“We kept going and created enough chances to draw level and of course should have had another penalty.”