That’s my boy – even if I can’t name him!
CHELTENHAM substitute Zack Kotwica volleyed a spectacular 25-yard equaliser two minutes from time to help manager Paul Buckle remember his name.
Mansfield’s Adam Murray looked as if he would be celebrating his first home match in charge with a win after Verdaine Oliver smashed in a 30-yard breakthrough in the 55th minute.
But Kotwica popped up to delight his manager Buckle, who is still without a win from three matches in charge.
Buckle said:“It was a cracking goal. I don’t even know his surname. I have only just learned his first name!
“I flew off the bench. I was in mid-air celebrating. I had a feeling one of the substitutes might score. I said to them when they went on to just do for me what they have been doing in training.
“There is some real belief starting to show in the squad.
“That’s two league games undefeated. If there had been a little longer on the clock, we might have won it.
“That’s the third game since I’ve come where it has been 0-0 at half-time. It’s a huge success from the goals we were letting in prior to me coming in.”
Disappointed Murray, who saw his Mansfield side concede a last-gasp equaliser for the second successive game, said: “At the minute, we don't know how to win a football match.We are probably lacking a bit of leadership and a bit of character at times.When we are going through the rough periods, people have to step forward.
“For the second week we have conceded late from a restart. It’s not good enough.
“I am not someone who will take second best and I definitely won’t take any passengers. Players have to get on board and do what I ask them to. Come to the party or go and find another party.
“At the minute, the boys are giving me everything.”
A quiet first half sprang to life in the last two minutes when Kane Ferdinand three times went close to giving Cheltenham the lead.
First, he was denied by Dimitar Evtimov’s save and Luke Waterfall’s goalline block. Then, Ferdinand again found space on the right side of the area, but his drive was tipped wide.
Oliver broke the deadlock with a solo strike, picking up a loose ball, turning and looping a drive over the flat-footed Trevor Carson.
Two minutes later, Evtimov preserved the lead, diving low to hold Matt Richards’ free-kick.
Simon Heslop’s drive flashed wide as the Stags looked to secure victory and they were made to pay when Kotwica struck, taking the ball from a throw and unleashing a dipping volley to salvage a point.