David Artell was pleased with the reaction of his players after they once again fought back to draw 2-2 with Championship side Nottingham Forest this afternoon. Second half goals from Callum Ainley and Rio Adebisi in a four minute spell cancelled out Brennan Johnson’s brace for Forest.

Following the 2-2 draw at Mornflake Stadium, Artell told the club’s official website: “I remember speaking to a Championship manager last year and he told me that the hardest thing about the Championship is the incessant nature of the games.

“Obviously with Covid, it was Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday and we have just had that week. It has been tough, but credit to our lads. I thought there a bit of lethargy and it was a quiet dressing room beforehand. One of the quietest we have had for a while. I don’t mind them being subdued and collecting their thoughts. That thinking time and our space is fine.

“We tried to do the things we have practiced in training and we grew into the game. We continued to play the right way and we were far better trying to play the football in the second half.

“There wasn’t much in the game in the opening 30 minutes, and Dave Richards has spilled one and the lad has tapped it in. That is that fine margin. The second goal, we tried to play out and I would much rather concede a goal like that, when trying to play. We were punished for the mistake but playing out gives the chance to score the goals we did.

“We got Callum on the end of one. That is the Callum Ainley we want to see, we want him to be like that every week and show that consistency. He is a talented player and we have got to get that out of him. He was our best player today for me.

“Rio has an opportunity to play. He is on the opposite side of the pitch following a set play and he has cut in and curled it in superbly. It was like Mo Salah. The left back spot is there for him. Are we looking to get one in? Yes, but that doesn’t mean he will play above him. It all depends and if he plays like that then he does himself no harm at all.”