Tightest defences keeping it mean
MANSFIELD Town boss David Flitcroft and MK Dons manager Paul Tisdale agreed a draw was a fair outcome as the division’s two meanest defences met in a thriller at the One Call Stadium.
On a freezing cold and windswept afternoon, the two sides – both unbeaten in seven games – put on an end-to-end show, with Jacob Mellis and Jordan Houghton netting spectacular long-range goals.
Tyler Walker could have had a first-half hat-trick and CJ Hamilton twice came close but Mansfield went ahead on 17 minutes when a poor Mal Benning free-kick was cleared to Mellis, who, from 25 yards, rocketed a half-volley home.
After efforts from Chuks Aneke and Joe Walsh went straight at keeper Bobby Olejnik, he was beaten all ends up on 24 minutes as Houghton looked up from 25 yards and sent a rising shot under the near angle.
Aneke was then unlucky to strike a post after turning well on 35 minutes.
Olejnik then made two good saves in a second half in which the two in-form defences were on top.
On Mellis’ strike for the Stags, Tisdale said: “It’s very hard to criticise anyone when the ball is rocketed in from 25 yards. Maybe should have cleared it a bit better from the original clearance.
On the equaliser, he added: “I don’t think Jordan will be up there in those sort of positions that often.
“But his game is developing and, when you get the opportunity, he is a safe pair of hands when it comes to striking a ball. It was a sweet strike and a lovely goal.”Flitcroft said: “It was possibly a fair result.
“It was two very good teams and both sets of players committed to an end-toend game of football.
“They are the best team we have come up against and I thought first half we were really good, dominating on the front foot.
“In every league you get some teams that want to spoil proceedings, but today you had two teams who wanted to go and win a game and go for the jugular.
“They moved the ball around the pitch well. In terms of style of play, MK Dons are probably one of the best teams at it in the league.
“They have a brilliant manager who understands that philosophy.”