Iron midfielder Gary McSheffrey was frustrated to leave the Ricoh Arena and return to North Lincolnshire with just a point on Tuesday, after the 1-1 draw with Coventry.
United took the lead and controlled throughout, as they “got our noses in front and saw the half out well”. They held out until stoppage time, when Marcus Tudgay netted to give the Sky Blues a fortuitous point.
“In the second half, without playing great, we controlled the game in a way,” McSheffrey explained to The Iron Player.
“Whatever they threw at us we dealt with it, no problem.
“We played three minutes of added time perfectly really, in their half, keeping the ball in the corner. Then we switched off from a free-kick, the second ball came out to Fleck and, from an attacking point of view, it is a lovely goal, a good diagonal ball and a great finish.
“We switched off and we needed to be seeing that game out, keeping a clean sheet and winning 1-0. Again we have failed to keep a clean sheet as a team and it is not good enough.
“Sometimes pitches like that, we soak up lots of pressure and control the game. I was out there on Tuesday and didn’t think Coventry would score all night.
“They had a couple of good efforts but the first half our goalie made a good save and they didn’t really threaten us. Our defence had a really good game too, 93 minutes they were awesome and we conceded at the end which is frustrating.”
United went ahead through a first-half set piece as McSheffrey scored, from just outside the area, against his former team and boyhood club.
He told us he was confident stepping over the ball and was delighted to get a good reception from the home support on the night.
“As soon as we got the free-kick I was adamant I was going to take it and thankfully it went in,” McSheffrey stated.
“I just felt confident, Liam O’Neil wanted it but I said ‘no chance, this is going to nestle in the net’.
“I had a good feeling and as soon as I hit it I knew it was in because the goalkeeper stepped to his left and I did him at his back-post.
“I played a lot of games there, scored a lot of goals and we have always had a mutual respect, the fans have been great with me and I feel like I gave them a good service while I was there.”
The wideman picked up his tenth booking of the campaign and he will now miss Mark Robins’ side’s next two fixtures - at home against Swindon and Chesterfield.
He admits he cannot complain about the majority of the decisions but he is extremely displeased at having to miss the games, while he has also put his place in the side at risk.
McSheffrey was cautioned at the Ricoh for an alleged dive in the opposition box and, while he says he went down easily, he can see why it was awarded against him.
He said: “I’ve seen penalties given for less than that to be honest but I kind of anticipated the challenge and went down too easy. At the same time, I thought with the pace I was running at, any touch would have set me down and I tried to avoid the tackle. It was cheap and it was my bad.
“It’s really frustrating. I look back on the bookings and some are definitely yellow cards but some were just stupid or bad decisions and you cannot appeal yellow cards, you just have to deal with them. It’s disappointing to miss the next two against two good teams coming to Glanford Park, it is frustrating but I have to deal with it.
“Nobody wants to miss games, ask anyone. You get fined for things and that stuff doesn’t bother you but you don’t want to miss games and it is frustrating because it gives someone else a chance to come in and play in my position."
He added: “If they play well and score some goals, it will take time for me to get back in again. It’s good it’s a quick turnaround and I have ten days until I can return, we have a busy month and hopefully I can get back in.
“We have another game Saturday and Tuesday, they come quick and fast and we just have to get on with it.”
See much more from Gary McSheffrey, Mark Robins and Alex Davey on The Iron Player.
See much more from Gary McSheffrey, Mark Robins and Alex Davey on The Iron Player.