We spoke to Mike Williamson following the 0-0 draw with Doncaster.
It looked like United had won it late on, as Cameron Harper smashed the ball home in front of the Warwick Road End but it was disallowed for offside.
We began with that, asking if Mike had watched it back. He answered: “I haven't, no.
“Apparently, it was tight. But, it was a good moment to experience, even though it didn't last very long. I think first and foremost, it was a really good performance.
“I think obviously the lads and everyone can see what we're building and how the strides were taken. And then ultimately, we're against a very, very good team today. So it was really important to keep seeing that progression against a very good team that are going to be up there.
“They’re one of the favourites for promotion. So I think how we conducted ourselves, how we played and the amount of chances was really pleasing.”
We had chances, Sam Lavelle drew a brilliant save from their goalkeeper late on and there were other opportunities for the likes of Dom Sadi and Dan Adu-Adjei.
We put it to Mike that it’s great to see us creating those chances, but frustrating that we’re not more clinical: “Yeah, I think that's the overriding feeling.
“We just need that bit of luck to drop and a ricochet here and there. But I thought we got in some really good areas and probably a little bit of anxiety when we're so desperate to score and win a game. But, you know, that will come.
“I thought the heart, the endeavour and the energy that they left out there was really very good.”
The Blues matched up a promotion chasing side very well, Mike agreed:
“Yeah, very much so. They've got some very, very good players, and the longer the game goes on, they continue getting stronger as well because they're fit.
“Obviously, the manager's been there a couple of years now. So he's had a chance to build and he's taken them from a lowly position the year before and into the playoffs, which was a great achievement.
“And they've continued that. So for us to be where we're at, to come out feeling really disappointed we didn't win the game, I think is positive.”
Doncaster had chances too, and may feel hard done by themselves, but we saw another man of the match performance from Gabe Breeze, Mike spoke on him:
“Yeah, we defend from the front and we attack from the back. And that's a collective. Of course, they had chances, and we defended well when we had to. Gabe made some big saves for us, which is pleasing.”
Georgie Kelly and Dylan McGeouch both returned to action after injury lay-offs. Mike spoke about them returning:
“It was really pleasing. Obviously, they've had a good amount of time out.
“With Georgie, you can see what he's about as soon as he comes on. He causes problems and I think he'll only get better with game time, which is the same for Dylan.
"Cal picked up a little tweak and hopefully that'll be absolutely fine. But at the minute, we've got to keep making changes.
“So, we're building. We've got players coming back and we'll get better.”
The crowd really got behind the players today, and it felt like things were making sense now and the vision was clear. We asked Mike if he felt the same, he said:
“I mean, I hope so. With a game like today playing against a team that are in the position they are and we're still pushing in the 85th, 90th minute for a winner. I think that is progress.
“Obviously, we just need that to drop and to get that home win and to see the progression paying off into points.
“I think we've got to keep building. And that was what I said there.
“You know, the lads coming back, having Chaz [Charlie Wyke] in and around today, it was a real good boost to see him here. But it's hard work to be successful and it's not easy. So we don't just put one or two performances in and relax on that.
“We've got to come in Monday and we've got to be pushing. We've got to make sure that we do everything right and make sure we force the consistency and we force our way up the league.”
Terell Thomas was injured on international duty, we asked Mike for an update on him, he replied:
“Yes, it's going to be eight to ten weeks. Hopefully he's a speedy healer. But he's not going to be back this side of Christmas.”
