Cox: We must build on point

Mansfield boss Paul Cox says his players must use the 0-0 draw with Exeter as a springboard for the rest of the season.

The Stags picked up their first point since returning to the Football League following relegation in April 2008 in an entertaining encounter. It could have been even better for the home side, who saw new signing Calvin Andrew come close in the sixth minute when Artur Krysiak saved his weak effort. Andrew then saw his bullet header cleared off the line by Craig Woodman. At the other end, Liam Sercombe brought the best out of Alan Marriott with a sweetly hit free-kick. Mansfield had second-half chances through Sam Clucas and John Dempster, but neither could break the deadlock. Jamie Reid had the last chance of the match for Exeter in injury-time, but his weak free-kick was easily saved by Marriott which ensured a share of the spoils Cox said: "Their goalkeeper made two excellent saves and we had one cleared off the line. "On another day this could have been a win. We defended well and we now need to use this to build upon. "We need to believe in ourselves more and if we do that we will not be a bad side. "The boys have worked very hard and it was a good performance. It is a point and a clean sheet and there are plenty of positives out of the game. "It is the first time Ollie Palmer and Calvin Andrew have played together and I thought they were a handful. Once the ball falls to Ollie I have no doubt he will score."