We spoke to Mark Hughes, following our 1-1 draw with Walsall.
Speaking to CUTV, Mark said: “It was a tough game. You can see why they've done well this season.
“They're a big side, lots of physicality in their play. We had to stand up to that and picked up a lot of second balls. It was a big effort from the lads today.
“It's another positive result, that's four games unbeaten. We're showing that resilience that I talked about, that I was looking for. Overall, you go up against the league leaders and acquit yourself like we did.
“We could have won it at the end as well with the last chance. We're happy enough, probably slightly disappointed.
“They had any number of shots themselves and they probably argued that they had enough to beat us. Overall, good performance once again. Good reaction from the lads and we keep going.
“I think we had good opportunities and a great goal as well.
“Obviously, we had a terrible start and to concede so early against the league leaders, we could have capitulated then. Maybe a few weeks ago, we wouldn't have been able to get back into that game. The lads are showing a lot of character and I'm really pleased with that element of our play.
“We got a great goal from a set play and it was very even from that point onwards.”
Mark changed things after the first 20 minutes or so, moving to a back four. He spoke about that:
“It was causing us a problem.
“We hadn't worked it out. Ideally, we want to impose our tactics on the opposition, not the other way around. But we had a slight problem so I had to tweak it a little bit.
“It helped, obviously we got a foothold in the game after that and it became a lot more even.”
Aaron Hayden got the United goal, rising highest from an Elliot Embleton delivery to power it home. Mark spoke positively on his performance:
“I thought he was excellent.
“I have to say, he hasn't had a lot of game time since I've come to the club or previous to that. I thought he stood up to the challenge, showed his experience as well. He understood when he could commit to challenges and when he had to drop off.
“I'm really pleased for him, it was a really good performance by him and it was a very good delivery once again.
“We're asking them to get on the end of things. We feel our delivery is good from corners. If you show determination and strength and purpose, then you can get on the end of things.”
With seconds left on the clock, the Blues broke forward and nearly stole all three points, with the sense that the roof might’ve come off Brunton Park had Cedwyn Scott’s strike found the net. Mark said:
“Yeah, I think we're all feeling like that. At the time it was happening, you think, here we go, this is meant to be.
“It wasn't to be, unfortunately, but we kept going. We were strong at the end, which I'm pleased about. We're getting to a level of fitness that's going to help us.
“The lads are enjoying the battle. It's hard work, but you've got to enjoy the hard work. If you don't enjoy hard work, you've got no chance."
Archie Davies made a tremendous tackle to save a big chance, a level of commitment that got the crowd right up for it. Mark spoke about his players endeavour:
“They're really trying to make sure that we remain in games and give ourselves a platform to possibly win it later in the game itself. I just think that's summed up our performances of late, where each and every one of them are giving everything they can to make sure that we don't get beaten in games.
“The fans were so involved during the whole thing.
“They nearly sucked it in at the end. We obviously had a great night against Barrow, getting three points, having three home games. We haven't managed to win one of them, but we've been clapped off in each of the home games.
“We're getting great support. We continue to ask for that. If we show performances and commitment like we did tonight, then everybody will be behind us.
That result made it four unbeaten for the Blues, Mark spoke on the importance of getting a run together:
“Yeah, it's important. You've got to have momentum this time of year.
“A lot of teams can suffer and struggle to get any kind of momentum going. So for us to start winning matches and going up against good opposition and getting positive results, that's really important for us. Momentum is a huge thing in sport, so we've got a little bit of that.”
Cameron Harper was absent from tonight’s game, Mark gave us an update on him:
“He was just feeling a little bit of a groin strain. So we think he'll settle down and he should be available at the weekend. It's been a busy period for everybody.
“A few were just a little bit sore from the other night after the effort. Joe Bevan as well, he had tight hamstrings. He's an explosive player, so we didn't want to take a risk with him.
On Saturday’s trip to Harrogate, Mark said:
“We might be able to drag them back down a little bit and drag them into the mix. Results were okay tonight.
“It hasn't really damaged us in terms of a couple of wins for the ones immediately above us. It doesn't change our situation. We've just got to get on with what we have to do.”
