Notts County boss Stuart Maynard understands the defensive problems at hand after his side dropped out of the play-off places for the first time since August following their 3-1 defeat to Gillingham.

A catalogue of defensive errors resulted in the Magpies’ downfall in a frustrating encounter, something Maynard was keen to address.

“Some of the defending of our box was really poor,” Maynard said.

“We know it, as a group and collectively it was not good enough. The goals that we conceded are very frustrating, they are frustrating for the fans, they are frustrating for us, but we knew that when we came into the building, defending our box was an issue.

“We knew it was something we had to work on, and it’s something we have to go back to the training ground and continue to work on.”

The Magpies drop out of the play-off places ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, and Maynard insists that the aim of reaching the top seven remains the same despite their recent form.

He added: “It’s so tight, there are probably five or six teams in and around the play-offs and the points are so tight.

“Of course, the aim is the play-offs. The aim of a football club like Notts is we want to try and achieve more and get as high up the league as we can. We understand the situation we are in.”

Gillingham boss Stephen Clemence was thrilled with his side’s performance after coming from a goal behind to move into the play-off places at County’s expense.

Oliver Hawkins, Max Clark and Conor Masterson were on target for Gillingham as they scored three goals away from home for the first time this season. Dan Crowley had opened the scoring for the hosts.

Clemence said: “I think it had to be a different performance – we have had the ball more in certain games but today we had to really dig in and get our tactics spot on.

“Notts County are a very good team and we knew that coming into it, and you have to stay disciplined.”

Hawkins’ header levelled the game and perhaps swayed the momentum of the tie, but Clemence insisted that he is confident his side can kick on from the win at Meadow Lane.

He added: “I am proud of the boys, but it’s one win, that is all it is, and we have to go and get another one on Tuesday.

“The mentality of the boys, they always know they are in a game now. I can see it in their eyes. I had my doubts when I first came into the club, but I haven’t got any doubts now.

“I have a group of men in that dressing room that are doing everything for this football club and long may that continue.”

Gillingham leapfrogged opponents Notts County into the League Two play-off positions after coming from behind to win 3-1 victory at Meadow Lane.

Dan Crowley put County ahead but Gillingham responded through goals from Oli Hawkins, Max Clark and Conor Masterson to claim a win that lifts them up to seventh place, two points above the Magpies.

The hosts took a 13th-mionute lead when Crowley took aim from outside the area and curled the ball in off the post, set up by Jodi Jones who now holds the record for the most assists in a League Two season with 17.

But the Gills responded seven minutes later when Masterson was given time to cross the ball into the area for Hawkins to head beyond Aidan Stone.

And the visitors went into the break in front when Clark was picked out at the back post, producing a brilliant first-time finish with the outside of his foot.

Gillingham increased their lead eight minutes after the restart as County failed to clear a corner, allowing Masterson to stoop low and head home.

And they almost furthered their advantage late on when Tim Dieng struck both posts with a header, with Masterson almost getting his second as his header looped over the bar.

The Sky Bet League Two match between Walsall and Morecambe has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

A pitch inspection was carried out with heavy rain falling at the Bescot and Walsall announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the match was off shortly after 6.30pm.

“We can confirm that tonight’s match against @MorecambeFC has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch,” read an announcement.

Police are investigating allegations Birmingham’s Juninho Bacuna was racially abused by a fan during Saturday’s derby against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The home club have confirmed they are supporting West Midlands Police after Curacao midfielder Bacuna reported the matter to the referee during the second half of the Sky Bet Championship encounter.

It was one of two such incidents on the same day in the English Football League as AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson revealed his player Omar Bugiel had reported being racially abused at Bradford.

A statement from West Brom read: “West Bromwich Albion can confirm Birmingham City player Juninho Bacuna reported an incident of racism to referee David Webb during the second half of today’s game.

“Albion will offer its full support to West Midlands Police in their criminal investigation of this matter. The club will also remain in contact with Birmingham City to ensure Juninho Bacuna receives the support he requires at this time.

“The club takes a strong stance against all forms of discrimination and will do all it can to ensure anyone found guilty of racism faces the toughest available legal punishment, in addition to a lifetime ban from The Hawthorns.

“Albion will continue to work with the Football Association, the EFL and all relevant authorities to rid the game of racism.”

The incident comes a week after West Brom’s FA Cup tie against another local rival in Wolves was marred by crowd violence.

Birmingham said in a statement Bacuna’s complaint will be “included in the official’s match report and the club will assist the FA, the EFL and the authorities accordingly.”

It added: “Birmingham City thanks the West Brom stewards, security and executive team who acted immediately and the issue is now with West Midlands Police.”

Play was briefly held up late in Wimbledon’s League Two meeting with Bradford at Valley Parade as Lebanon striker Bugiel reported being the victim of alleged racist abuse from someone in the crowd.

Jackson said: “I think there was some racist abuse towards Omar Bugiel. He’s gone in with the referee to report it.

“I don’t know what was said. Obviously, we’ll wait to see the report until I comment further but someone in the crowd has said something to him that they shouldn’t have done.”

The PA news agency has contacted the Football Association for a response.

West Brom beat Birmingham 1-0 while the encounter between Bradford and Wimbledon ended in a goalless draw.

Salford’s 3-1 win over Wrexham extended their unbeaten run to five games under new head coach Karl Robinson – who insists there is still more to come from his side.

The Ammies had lost four in a row and were without a win in 10 before Robinson took charge.

He, though, insists the recent turnaround in fortunes is down to the players.

He said: “We showed a real forward-thinking mentality. You’ve got to earn respect when you play football and we felt we were going to earn respect in their half.

“There’s so much more to come. What I’ve done is just stood on the touchline, the players are the ones who take on information and work hard everyday.

“They also know they’ve been under par and that they’ve got a point to prove and I think that is a little bit of a regret by them.

“We’ve played three teams in the top seven and in all of those games we’ve scored goals, so it just shows you there’s so much frustration in the team – to get 11 points out of 15 is remarkable but still that’s not enough.”

Despite a good run of form which has resulted in an upsurge in points, Robinson is not getting carried away.

The Ammies boss added: “I’m sick of hearing people around the club talking about promotion. All that matters is the next game. We’ve got to keep working hard.”

Theo Vassell headed the opener from a corner and Elliot Watt scored direct from another. Sam Dalby pulled one back but Matt Smith volleyed a brilliant third for the hosts.

Wrexham remain well in the hunt for promotion, but their home and away form are like chalk and cheese.

The Red Dragons have picked up 35 points at home and 17 on the road, scoring just 12 goals away from the Racecourse Ground compared to 43 at home.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “To give two goals away like we did in the first half is very difficult. We got one back and on the third one we weren’t strong enough in the box again.

“We have to find a way on our travels, when the pitch isn’t great or when the team plays a certain way, to get points.

“We’ve come out second best today in important areas. If we defended the two set-plays, we would have started to get a foothold in the game.”

Parkinson also praised Robinson for his impact.

He said: “Karl has come in and they’re playing direct. We can’t legislate for the two corners going in, we got back in the game but the third goal was a real blow for us in the second half.

“We have to find a way to play better in these games, and collectively we need to do better in dealing with strong and physical players. It didn’t go our way.”

Barrow boss Pete Wild hailed his side’s character and professionalism after they got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over MK Dons at Holker Street.

Cole Stockton, a January loan signing from Burton, opened his account for the club as he fired the Bluebirds back into the automatic promotion places in League Two.

It was just a second win in eight for Wild’s charges and a first-ever victory over the Dons for the club.

After ending a frustrating three-match winless run, Wild said: “Full credit to the staff and the players. I thought they tactically got it spot on.

“What we need to look at is the sheer character and professionalism to stay tight and stay solid after the last couple of weeks.

“Let’s have it right MK are a really good team and will be up there where we want to be.

“We created some really good opportunities and maybe could have scored more.

“The pitch is not great for both teams. We found a way to play on it.

“I’m really pleased with how we withstood the pressure of MK. I honestly think they’re a really good team.

“We wanted to be tight and tough to break down because they can bop it round you. Towards the end I could hear the fans screaming ‘press’ but that’s the last thing we wanted to do.”

The Bluebirds saw a hosts of chances go begging either side the break, with Sam Foley, Kian Spence and Dom Telford all squandering decent opportunities.

But, with 12 minutes left, Stockton was on hand to convert Ben Whitfield’s through ball with aplomb and they held on for the win thanks to goalkeeper Paul Farman’s fine stoppage-time save to deny Joe Tomlinson.

Dons boss Mike Williamson said: “We knew how difficult it was to break them down.

“They do the nitty gritty and the basics really well.

“You could see the difficulty the pitch created for both teams.

“We had that belief in the way we played, but it wasn’t meant to be. We dropped our standards in the second half and were a bit sloppy.

“The boys are down in there. They’re flat and know it’s a missed opportunity.

“They have got a very good, talented, but disciplined group.

“We thought one mistake would decide it. We were disappointed with how we managed the game when we went behind. We panicked a bit.

“It’s all down to ourselves and we can accept that, we’re big enough to accept that.

“We need a response now.

“We had chances to score a goal, but we lacked the quality and execution that we usually have.”

Stephen Clemence bemoaned a lack of consistency after Gillingham’s 1-1 League Two draw with Walsall and insisted his side did not deserve more than a point at home.

Conor Masterson fired in a 77th-minute equaliser to rescue the Gills from defeat at Priestfield following Isaac Hutchinson’s converted penalty kick 15 minutes earlier.

A final effort from Shad Ogie, who conceded the penalty for handling the ball, was squandered but despite a performance to forget, Clemence still believed his side could make the play-offs.

He said: “We didn’t deserve to win the game today, I’m disappointed.

“You can miss chances, that happens, but it would have been nice if it had gone in for Shad and the supporters at the end there.

“We all got frustrated in the first half – some honest words were spoken at half-time and I felt we were better in the second half. We have to play better on a more consistent basis.

“In the first half, we were below our standards today. We’ve got to bring those standards on a more consistent basis.

“I really do believe this group are able to beat anybody on their day, but we’re a point closer to seventh place and where we want to be.”

The draw leaves Gillingham in 10th with an upcoming clash against seventh-placed Notts County ahead next week.

Walsall boss Mat Sadler admitted he felt comfortable throughout the game at Priestfield but was disappointed his side could not close it out.

The Saddlers coach felt assured that his side’s performance was a sign of who his team are becoming as they target a play-off charge themselves, sitting six points off the top seven.

He said: “We silenced the crowd immediately and we kept them quiet for the majority of it.

“A lot of the dirty work was done, a lot of what goes unnoticed was done. We had to deal with set plays and long throws, and we did.

“I felt very comfortable standing there for large portions of the game. There was a real good tussle between Dave (Okagbue) and Oli Hawkins throughout the whole game.

“Hutch was great – yes, he scored, but he created so many opportunities for us, there were good performances everywhere.

“They put so much into the game, they all worked so hard. There were plenty of signs of the team we’re becoming.

“Where we’re heading, games like this will serve us well.

“We’re disappointed we conceded, that’s natural, but it’s a yardstick about seeing games out and getting a second goal when you’re on top.”

Angry Crawley boss Scott Lindsey ignored his players directly after their 2-1 home defeat to Morecambe and later described them as being “too passive and too nice.”

The Red Devils had a decent start at the Broadfield Stadium when Harry Forster fired his first league goal for the club to put them ahead in the 17th minute.

But striker Ged Garner, on loan from Barrow, levelled before the break and fired the winner from a tight angle six minutes from time to make up for his penalty miss against Colchester the previous week.

This was Crawley’s fourth defeat in their last five home league games and Lindsey was so incensed that he did not speak to the players immediately afterwards.

He said: “I’ve not spoken to them yet. I went into my office to look at the stats and look at the results but I’m too angry to go in and speak to them.

“We will debrief and speak to the players on Monday. Next week it will be all about intensity in training for sure.”

Lindsey was dismayed his team flopped badly in their first League Two game for three weeks, but he did not blame the inactivity for the outcome.

The former Swindon manager added: “There was a lack of intensity with no guile or aggression to go on to win the game.

“We went 1-0 up but were ponderous and slow and had only one shot on goal all game.”

Morecambe boss Ged Brannan heaped praise on two-goal Garner, who missed a second-half penalty in his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Colchester.

Brannan said: “I am made up for him. After what happened last week I knew I had to support him.

“Penalty misses are part of the game and I just wanted him to get on with it and show what he can do. He has showed what a top player he is.

“I give him all the credit. He was very down after what happened last week and I just said to him about keeping his head up.”

It has been a difficult time for Brannan after losing a string of players in the January transfer window and he admitted this made the result even sweeter.

He added: “Considering what happened in the transfer window we stuck to our game.

“We had to make a lot of changes yet we were absolutely outstanding in the second half. The longer the game went on, the better we got.”

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said his striker Omar Bugiel reported being the victim of alleged racist abuse during Saturday’s goalless draw at Bradford.

Play was briefly stopped by referee Ross Joyce towards the end of the game after a complaint was made about something shouted from the Valley Parade crowd towards Bugiel.

Jackson said he was unaware of what was said but revealed Bugiel had spoken to the referee about the incident.

“I think there were some racist abuse towards Omar Bugiel. He’s gone in with the referee to report it.

“I don’t know what was said. Obviously, we’ll wait to see the report until I comment further but someone in the crowd has said something to him that they shouldn’t have done.”

Bradford have now gone eight games since their last league win despite having most of the chances on a game spoiled by a difficult pitch.

Wimbledon keeper Alex Bass, who had a loan spell at Bradford in 2022, saved from Alex Gilliead and Harry Chapman.

Chapman bent a free-kick just wide and then set up captain Richie Smallwood, who volleyed straight into the ground and at Bass.

Wimbledon thought they should have had a penalty right on half-time but Bugiel was instead booked for simulation.

Jackson added: “The ref said he thought they were both at it but the guy just pulls him down. It’s ridiculous.

“It could have been the difference because it would have been the best chance in the game. I’m baffled as it’s a penalty every day of the week.

“I think it’s a really good point. The way we went about our work was excellent because it’s a really tough place to play.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be pretty with the pitch but we needed to be hard-working, defend well and hope for a little bit of luck when we had our moments.”

Bradford manager Graham Alexander was frustrated by his side’s struggles in front of goal, believing they had created enough chances to end their winless run.

He said: “We probably should have won a tight game 1-0.

“But we didn’t test the goalkeeper enough with our opportunities. We did from distance but from close in, I think one of their defenders got in a couple of very good blocks.

“That’s where it is with us in the final third at the moment. We’re not taking advantage of the opportunities we get.

“Not conceding early on in the last two games has been a positive for us. We’re trying to improve the things we’ve maybe let ourselves down on in the last month.

“But it’s a little bit of copy and paste moment. It’s a game I feel we should have won.

“It’s that final bit of quality to hit the target or miss the keeper are just evading us.

“We made three or four positive changes in the second half to bring more firepower into the team but we just couldn’t get that breakthrough.”

Steve Cotterill felt his Forest Green players showed “unbelievable character” after they salvaged a 3-3 draw at Colchester.

Rovers saw a 2-0 lead evaporate and secured a point courtesy of Dominic Thompson’s 74th-minute long-range equaliser which squirmed past goalkeeper Owen Goodman.

Forest Green boss Cotterill, whose side are bottom of League Two, said: “It will feel like a defeat because we were 2-0 up but you have to carry on playing, which they did.

“They showed unbelievable character. A team that are not fighting for their lives gets beat four or five today and they did not show that so full credit to them.

“It was madness, just those five minutes in the second half and it just goes to prove how costly that can be. It’s understandable what happens to them and we took a backward step.

“I just said to them, what gets you in front keeps you in front and we took a little bit of a backward step and they came out with a bit of tempo.

“We needed to see that little period through and once the first goal goes in, it gives them a little bit of belief and the second goal gives them even more belief.”

Forest Green took a 10th-minute lead through Matty Stevens’ penalty, after Tom Hopper fouled Jordan Moore-Taylor in the area, and doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Christian Doidge converted from close range after Colchester had failed to clear their lines.

Colchester halved the deficit in the 65th minute when Alistair Smith finished from a tight angle from John Akinde’s pass and Jayden Fevrier made it 2-2 two minutes later with a first-time effort, from Harry Anderson’s assist.

Anderson then drilled home a low shot from the edge of the area in the 70th minute from Hopper’s pass, before Thompson levelled.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley said: “In the second half, I saw fighters – it’s a given when you’re 2-0 down at home to go and run around and go and tackle and put your body on the line, so I’m not commending them for that.

“But I am congratulating them for the bravery that they showed and the willingness to go and get on the ball and try to play forward.

“In the second half, we got in a brilliant position in the game, scored three quick goals and were 3-2 up.

“You know the boxer that has their opponent on the ropes and have hit three really decisive punches and then we let them off – we said ‘back to the middle of the ring and have some time to recover’.

“Our mentality has to be fourth goal as we’re 3-2 up and we had all the momentum and were by far the better team.”

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough believed watching the game from high up behind the goal as he served a touchline ban was crucial in his side’s narrow 1-0 League Two derby win at home to promotion rivals Notts County.

Clough and first-team coach Andy Garner spent the game in the Quarry Lane End after being charged by the Football Association over comments made about the officials regarding last weekend’s defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

“It was not a bad game to sit out and get an overall view of it,” said Clough.

“You probably get a much clearer picture of the game and a better assessment going into half-time of what we needed to do better in the second half.

“We restricted them to so few opportunities in the second half and could have easily had another goal or so ourselves.

“The second half was much better and totally down to being up here with a view looking over the game rather than being at pitch level.”

Christy Pym had already saved from David McGoldrick before Davis Keillor-Dunn hit the eighth-minute winner – a stunning 20-yard curler into the top-right corner for his 15th goal of a fine season.

“It was absolutely wonderful and worthy of winning any game, derby game or not,” said Clough.

“There was just that couple of yards of space and he curls one in like he has been doing for the last six months or more.

“It’s just a shame we couldn’t add to it. I thought Will Swan was very unlucky on a couple of occasions today.”

The visitors dominated the first half and a Jodi Jones cross hit the post, while – two minutes later – Aden Flint headed a Notts corner against the underside of his own crossbar.

But Stags had the best of the second half and Aidan Stone made three good stops to deny Keillor-Dunn, Ollie Clarke and Will Swan.

New Notts County boss Stuart Maynard said: “It was a little bit frustrating as our first-half performance probably warranted us going in 2-1 up.

“I don’t think a team have come to Mansfield this season and dominated the game in the way we did in the first half.

“We created chances. We hit the underside of the bar – which people are saying crossed the line – but obviously, there is no goal-line technology here.

“We also hit the post. Our performance was really good.

“Second half, they have come out and we have to kick the ball a bit more. Credit to them, that’s the way they play, they want to make the game a bit more ugly.

“I thought defensively we coped with everything they threw at us all day.

“It’s frustrating but we will take the positives from it, analyse it and look to get better.”

Lee Bell was more than happy to see his Crewe side add a point to their Championship tally following a scrappy draw with Tranmere at Prenton Park.

The Railway men were not without their chances and their best opportunity came after the interval, when Chris Long was brilliantly denied by Luke McGee in the Rovers’ goal

The draw leaves Crewe two points off the automatic promotion places, and Bell felt it was a good result at a tricky venue.

“It’s our first goalless draw of the season and Tranmere away is a tough nut to crack,” he said.

“I thought we were good in the first half and probably the better team. We got into some good positions in the first 25 minutes but couldn’t create a really good chance to get an opportunity on goal.

“The second half was more of a scrappy affair and we weren’t able to keep up the good work we showed in the first. Then we came up with the only real clear-cut chance of the game and the goalkeeper made an unbelievable save to deny Chris Long.

“But if you can’t win the game, and we tried with all the attacking players we had on the pitch, then you make sure you get what you can.

“Full credit to Tranmere as they came into the game in the second half but we’ll take a point and look forward to next week.”

Rovers also caught sight of goal several times, with Connor Jennings and Rob Apter coming close while Brad Walker almost won it in stoppage time with a long-range effort that flashed past the post

Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins said: “It was a competitive game and they are riding high in the league and you can see why. I’m really pleased.

“The first half an hour was a challenge for us but we stayed in the game and had to work a few things out and finished the first half really well.

“We then started the second half really strongly and on the front foot and gave ourselves a chance to win the game.

“It was our first clean sheet for a long, long time and we’ll take that as a positive because we are hard to play against and are competitive.

“I knew it would be a tough game with Crewe being where they are in the table, but we made it a tough game for them too, and I’m really pleased with the players’ attitude and performance today.”

Stockport manager Dave Challinor slammed his team’s slow start after the League Two leaders were held to a draw at home to in-form Harrogate.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans’ goal on the half-hour mark cancelled out Dean Cornelius’ 17th-minute opener for the visitors, but County were unable to find the winner against a side now unbeaten in five matches.

A draw for the Hatters sees their lead at the top of the table reduced to four points and Challinor felt his side’s failure to get out of the blocks early proved pivotal in the final outcome.

“Ultimately, our start to the game cost us the game,” he said.

“You can argue that we got back into it with an hour still to go, but we didn’t do enough to then win the game.

“Our first 15 minutes were terrible. I said to the players, as much as we have to take the pats on the back when we start really well, then expect to get the wrath when we don’t start the game well.

“In the first 15 minutes we were absolutely miles off it. The back four was too deep. There was no intensity about the midfield. We looked leggy as anything and we had no threat.

“It culminated in us conceding a goal, putting us onto the back foot.

“From 20 to 25 minutes on, the game looked like how I imagined the game would look, so us with plenty of the ball. But even then in moments, I knew technically we’d need to be good because if you give simple passes away, they’re compact but have threats on the counter-attack.

“We didn’t do enough in the final third in the last hour of the game to go from a losing position to a winning position.”

Harrogate went ahead when Matty Daly turned brilliantly on a pass played into him before crossing to Cornelius for a tap-in.

The Hatters drew level, though, with Lemonheigh-Evans finishing from close range from Macauley Southam-Hales’ pull-back for his second goal in as many games.

Substitute Ibou Touray’s glancing header from Odin Bailey’s delivery forced an impressive save out of visiting goalkeeper James Belshaw just after the restart.

Lemonheigh-Evans came agonisingly close to putting County in front in the 71st minute, with his shot deflecting narrowly wide.

The home side continued to push for the winner, with Akil Wright’s effort in the dying moments deflecting just wide, but Harrogate held on to secure a valuable point.

Town boss Simon Weaver was full of praise for his side, who are now just separated from the play-off places by goal difference.

“I’m really pleased with the performance,” he said.

“I thought from start to finish we were fully committed – committed to the way we were trying to play, but also in our box we had to defend for some spells as well, which you’d expect at the league leaders.

“I think they’re a terrific team with a really good squad, and they can freshen it up as well with the subs they bring on.

“You know you’re going to be under siege at some points but I do feel proud of the overall performance.

“It wasn’t just backs to the wall. We showed that we’re very competent with a good style of play.”

Harrogate are also now unbeaten in five matches on the road.

“We just say to the lads it’s another good away performance, and with each good performance it gives you an extra bit of confidence moving forwards,” Weaver added.

“We know when you come here, the crowd give their team great backing and you have to handle that noise. So we thought the best way to handle it is to continue in the same vein we’ve been playing recently and try and be as calm.”

Accrington manager John Coleman hailed on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek after his stunning stoppage-time save secured a goalless draw at home to Grimsby.

The January signing kept out Danny Rose’s header in the second minute of time added on to ensure play-off-chasing Stanley avoided defeat against their struggling visitors.

Accrington’s best chances came in the first half, with Harvey Cartwright pushing over a Ben Woods strike after two minutes and keeping out Jack Nolan’s low drive on the half-hour mark.

Coleman, whose side are two points off the top seven, said: “We didn’t play anywhere near like we can. We started off really brightly, had a couple of good chances but didn’t take them and surrendered possession cheaply.

“We have got to take the positives of the clean sheet and we were resilient with our defending, but we brought the problems on ourselves by not keeping the ball well enough and not passing the ball better.

“We weren’t good today, but we know we can play better than that and the pleasing thing is we didn’t concede.

“We showed character to not go under, our keeper has made a great save late on and we have got to build on two clean sheets on the bounce and now we have got to think about how we can play better.

“Radek has hit ground running with us, that’s two clean sheets and he has integrated with the lads well and it will be a good move for both parties.”

David Artell believes his Grimsby side are moving in the right direction.

The Mariners, who are in 20th place in League Two, dominated possession and chances, albeit without being able to find a goal that would have earned them a first win of 2024.

Artell said: “It’s another clean sheet on the road. That’s two on the spin and we were much better than last week (a 2-1 home loss to Tranmere) which was unacceptable.

“We have come here to try to play football, but we have not what we got we deserved, as we deserved to win, but what let us down was our decision-making in the final third.

“We couldn’t drive home the control we had.

“They had a shot in the second minute, but I can’t remember anything else after that.

“We have been in the ascendancy, been in control but haven’t made the crucial decisions in the final third which our play warranted.

“It was an unbelievable save from Danny’s header at the end, but we looked solid and there is plenty to build on. It was a good away performance. We are just missing a goal or two, but I am sure they will come.”

Doncaster boss Grant McCann hit out at referee Scott Simpson after his side’s 1-1 draw at Sutton.

It was a real battle between two of the bottom three sides in the Football League.

Craig Eastmond’s 78th-minute strike was cancelled out by Lee Angol’s stoppage-time penalty.

But a frustrated McCann stressed his side had two “blatant” penalties earlier in the game not given by the officials.

The first was on Billy Waters inside the first minute, when the striker was booked for simulation, and the other when Jack Senior went down in the box.

Rovers’ chief McCann said: “I’m disappointed we didn’t win. That’s the emotion.

“We should have two penalties, clear penalties.

“It was just stop-start, every time there was a challenge in the middle of the pitch the whistle blew. It wasn’t a good spectacle because of that, there wasn’t a flow to the game.

“There should have been a penalty in the first minute of the game, it was a clear penalty on Billy Waters and he ends up getting booked for it.

“Then we should have a penalty on Jack Senior down this end. It’s really disappointing when you see those.

“We’ve seen them back and they’re blatant penalties. Billy Waters has no need to go over there because he’s going to score.

“It is what it is. And we’ve really pleased with the response from conceding a real sloppy goal for us.

“We responded with real calmness. It was good composure for Joe Ironside to score the penalty.

“I wasn’t expecting to get it after the first two – that one’s probably less than a penalty than the other two.”

Sutton had seemingly given their survival hopes a huge boost with a first win in seven but Ironside’s last-gasp spot-kick gave them a bitter pill to swallow.

Boss Steve Morison said: “We were, I want to say unlucky, but we should have had a few more goals and we didn’t.

“We let ourselves down right at the death. It’s just frustrating.

“We need to make sure everyone keeps believing in that dressing room because the performances are a lot better than the results at the minute. But we need to keep performing because that will come eventually.

“It was a really good performance, 100 per cent. It’s not just this game where we’ve performed well, but all the games.

“We lacked that cutting edge in the final third. Some of our play was excellent, we got a really good goal. But I’m just gutted that it was decided at that time that a key moment was a penalty.

“No-one else saw it as a penalty, but the one who makes the decisions did.”