United manager Russ Wilcox has praised the players’ attitude during their 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers at Glanford Park on Tuesday night.
Striker Sam Winnall, who scored his 18th goal of the season, gave the Iron the lead before substitute Steven Gillespie equalised in the closing stages.Within just a few minutes of conceding Paddy Madden could have regained the lead but his shot went whiskers wide of the post.
Wilcox told The Iron Player: “It’s amazing how a player’s mindset changes.
“They have pushed and pushed to get the equaliser. When they get it they automatically just sit behind the ball and we find another gear from somewhere.
“We have had a couple of half chances to score once they levelled the game, but I have to say on the balance of the game Bristol deserve a point.”
With United in a commanding position it looked like United were going to win their third successive match, however, their hopes were dented when that late equaliser came.
“Looking on the balance of things you have to say it was two points dropped rather than one gained,” he said.
“I know we wasn’t at our best tonight and I’ll be the first to admit that.
“We didn’t quite get the ball down tonight and pass it like we can, but you have got to give a lot of credit to Bristol."
“I spoke to a lot of people before the game,” the Iron boss continued.
“Me and Tony watched them on Friday night so we knew what to expect.
“They pressed us high up the pitch and they made it difficult for us.”
He added: “We just need to manage the final period better. We looked like, on the DVD, that we were chasing the game rather than the ones in control of it.”
As the minutes towards the end of the game drew closer, United continued their search for that elusive second goal.
“We need that 18 yard box sealed off.
“Only Sean McAllister was there covering that tonight and ideally we need two players to cover that area.
“When the ball drops down on the edge of the area we need to make sure that we are the ones who are collecting it,” he said.
“But, they caught us on the counter attack tonight and I have to say it was a great ball from their guy to cut open our defence.
“It just got the wrong side of Dave Mirfin.”
Wilcox added: “I have to say over the 90 minutes they deserved a point.”
John Ward’s outfit came to Glanford Park with a game plan to prevent the Iron from playing their natural game and for 87 minutes it wasn’t working but once they equalised it gave them the impetuous to sit back and defend.
Wilcox said: “I wouldn’t say their game plan has worked and neither would they up until the 88th minute.
“We have huffed and puffed all game and they have taken advantage of the areas where we have not been on our game tonight.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, Sam Winnall and Eddie Nolan on The Iron Player.