Carl Muggleton has been at the sharp end of Chesterfield's battle to avoid relegation from Division Two and on Saturday he was on top form as the Spireites led at Port Vale, only to see several excellent saves come to nought as play-off seeking Vale snatched a late equaliser. After the game Brian Beard spoke to the Chesterfield keeper.
Q:HOW DO YOU VIEW THE DRAW WITH PORTVALE?
A:We are obviously a bit disappointed. We went 1-0 up and once again we conceded a lead. But if someone had said we would come to a team with one of the best home records in the division and come away with a point we would have taken it. The lads have worked hard again and that is one of the positives we have to take from the game.
Q:COMPARING THE RELATIVE LEAGUE POSITIONS THIS WAS ALMOST A HOME BANKER?
A:We weren't worried about the league positions. We have a hard-working side, considering where we are in the table, and a great fighting spirit and we have to continue with that spirit, especially as other results didn't go in our favour. But overall, the major disappointment is the fact we have let a lead slip once again but we will grasp the positive of a point.
Q:YOU TOOK THE LEAD AT A CRUCIAL TIME, WAS IT DESERVED OR AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY?
A:I thought we were on the front foot in the first half and did particularly well. Maybe we sat back a bit in the second half and let them come back at us but you would expect them to do that being the home side. I would imagine their manager would have given them a roasting at half time and got them wound up for the second half.
Q:CHRIS BRANDON WAS PARTICULARLY OUTSTANDING FOR YOU, WHAT DO YOU FEED HIM ON?
A:Chris works his socks off, week in, week out. He gives 100 per cent whatever the circumstances, as do the majority of the lads. It may look as if some don't but they do, everyone who comes into the side works hard for everyone else and it's a hard working club, behind the scenes as well. That can only work in our favour. And, as was evident on the day, our supporters are doing their bit too.
Q:IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT OUTCOME IF IAN EVATT'S HEADER HADN`T BEEN CLEARED OFF THE LINE?
A:That's right, goals obviously change games. We knew they would come out and go at us, after the break, so we had to be up for it, as soon as we re-started. We managed to push them back and worked hard but, as you say, if Ian's header had gone in it might have been different. A 2-0 lead for us might have put the game beyond Vale.
Q:DO YOU THINK YOU DESERVED MORE OUT OF THE GAME THAN A POINT?
A:I think so. We took the game to them and kept battling but it was worrying the way we kept giving the ball away. The disappointment has to be balanced by actually getting a point, though, and if we can keep playing with the same determination then we have a good chance of staying up.
