McDermott Delight At Reds Performance

The Reds matched the League Two title favourites before conceding two late goals on Saturday but the Gaffer wasn't concerned with the result:

McDermott told the club`s official website: "I thought we were excellent, it certainly didn`t feel like a defeat for us, Mansfield are an excellent team, tipped for promotion this season. They've invested highly and I felt we matched them throughout.

"We had a few knocks to our wide men so we had to change the system and it worked; we changed the formation and I spoke to the lads prior to the game about it, they executed it well.

"After 15 minutes they had to change their system to match ours, it was fantastic for us that we forced them into the first major tactical switch of the game.

"I thought from set pieces we were dangerous and we had some big chances in the first half. We conceded two late goals but they changed their team around second half, I think if they kept the same eleven for the second half we would have edged it. Chris Elliott didn`t have a lot to do in goal and the fact they were fresher in the second half proved the difference. We couldn't move our bodies quick enough.

"I was really pleased with the performance, everyone put a shift in and that`s what mattered the most."

The Reds travel to Long Eaton United tomorrow night in the final pre-season friendly before the new season and McDermott wanted to emphasise the attacking side of play:

"We've done a lot of defending throughout pre-season and it will be another tough game of course but it gives us a chance to focus on our attacking and build up. It will be good for us. We've had an excellent pre-season, for fitness and shape its worked and we also have a Plan B if needed. I'm very happy".