Zander’s a Diamond as Stags are saved
CHESTERFIELD might have conceded a late equaliser to local rivals Mansfield, but boss Jack Lester felt his side still sent the travelling support home happy.
After Hayden White had cancelled out Joe Rowley’s opener for the visitors, Chesterfield looked to take all three points when Andy Kellett put them back in front just before the hour.
But it wasn’t to be as with two minutes left Zander Diamond’s third goal in two games stole a point for Mansfield to stretch their unbeaten run to ten games.
“I thought the performance was excellent,” Lester said. “The second half we were absolutely brilliant, I think Mansfield had just the one shot on goal during that second period.
“In terms of knowing the importance of the game, coming away from home and considering where they are in the league we did superbly well. I think they were expecting to beat us, I think maybe they perhaps underestimated the talent which we have here.
“The goal we scored was right out the top draw and I think the fans will go home happy with our performance level. We considered the badge and looked after the rivalry in a game where we were the better side.”
Mansfield started well but it was the visitors who went ahead as some delightful interplay between Rowley and Jak McCourt saw the former fire home after 14 minutes
Stags were level on 25 minutes when White linked with Omari Sterling-James before burying an unstoppable effort past the helpless Joe Anyon.
That was it for firsthalf action but just three minutes into the second period Kristian Dennis smacked a thunderbolt which rebounded back off the crossbar with Logan stranded.
The Spireites began to take control and edged back in front on 58 minutes as an unmarked Kellett headed a Dennis cross home at the back post.
But Chesterfield couldn’t hang on and with five minutes remaining, against the run of play, the Stags were level through a Diamond header.
Stags boss Steve Evans said: “I think sometimes as a manager or coach you think sometimes the half-time whistle comes too early.
“If it’s a boxing match in that first period at one stage the towel comes in from Jack [Lester] such was our dominance.
“Football doesn’t work like that though and you have to put the ball into the net and in the second half we’re just not at the races.”