WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Remembering Derby County’s Division Two champions of 1986-87
CHELTENHAM manager Gary Johnson guaranteed the club’s fans that the season will get better after his side scrapped to claim a precious point at Mansfield with a Daniel O’Shaughnessy screamer.
The Stags took the lead four minutes into the second half through Mitchell Rose’s strike after good work from former Robins loan striker Matt Green.
But a superb long-ranger from O’Shaughnessy earned the Robins their second draw in two league games with ten minutes remaining.
“The supporters were fantastic and when we scored they gave us the impetus to go on and try to get a winner,” Johnson said.
“It’s going to be a good season, I promise the fans that because they have a group of boys who will give them effort.
“We have come from 1-0 down twice and shown a bit of character and my players were disappointed, which I am pleased with because I want them to learn from it.
“It was a fantastic strike and only we looked like winning it from then on.
“They defended well, we defended well and it was a real battle. We know we are up for a battle now and a point away from home at Mansfield is not a disaster.”
Stags boss Adam Murray described the contest as one of the scrappiest he had ever seen.
“It was exactly what we expected – a very scrappy and bitty game,” he said.
“There wasn’t much quality in the match and it was very stop-start.
“As staff we were just saying it was the most frustrating game we’ve ever been involved with. I thought we had more than enough in attack to go and win it.
“We knew we’d face direct balls, set-pieces and long throws, but the ironic thing is that the lad who takes the long throws, we were worried about his throw, but he’s gone and put one in the top corner with his left foot from 78 yards!
“I think we could have done a lot more about it but it was a great strike and couldn’t have gone in any other place. I think he’s come forward with it too easy but, give him his due, it’s a hell of a strike.
“I think our goal was excellent as well.”
Home goalkeeper Scott Shearer made an excellent stop to keep out Harry Pell’s header in the 22nd minute.
Green was denied by Everton loanee Russell Griffiths’ smart save ten minutes later.
Poor defending allowed Green the chance to run and cross to an unmarked Rose, who made no mistake to put Mansfield ahead.
O’Shaughnessy picked up the ball on halfway and drove forward until he unleashed a vicious shot which gave Shearer no chance. Holman’s shot deep into stoppage time was blocked and Wright miscued wide late on.
MANSFIELD: (4-4-2): Shearer 7, Bennett 6, Howkins 7, Taft 8, Benning 6, Collins 7, Clements 6, Hurst 7 (Henderson 89, N/A), M Rose 7, D Rose 7 (Hemmings 69 7), Green 7 Subs not used: Jensen, Chapman, Baxendale, Hamilton, McGuire. CHELTENHAM: (4-4-2): Griffiths 8; Suliman 6, Parslow 5, O'Shaughnessy 7, Jennings 5 (Cranston 61 6); Waters 6 (Barthram 61 6), Pell 6, Whitehead 6 (Rowe 78 6), Morgan-Smith 6; Wright 6, Holman 5. Subs not used: Kitscha, Hall, Lymn.