A Review by John Taylor

The month began with a genuine feeling that we could avoid the drop, but with a particularly tricky game at Boundary Park to contend with. We needed something from the game, but worryingly the manager's pre-match comments tended to indicate ambitions of achieving a draw. We fielded an unchanged side from the previous week against Blackpool, but the performance showed little of the fight exhibited against the Seasiders. First half, we were strangely lacklustre as though we were merely looking for a point. We created little, but so too did the Latics and the half ended all square.

Shortly after the break came the opening that the sizeable contingent from North Derbyshire was waiting for. Niven's long ball caught the Latics' rearguard flat-footed and Hurst stole in with only keeper Pogliacomi to beat.  His rushed left footer, however, crept the wrong side of the post and our best opportunity had gone. Two minutes later we were to rue that miss as a similar move saw Blatherwick miss his header to leave John Eyre free at the other end. Muggleton did very well to advance swiftly and block the shot, but the ball rebounded onto the surprised Oldham man and into the now unguarded net. Our efforts to get back on terms were never convincing and the giant Aussie keeper was always on hand to snuff out any crosses with his assured presence. Our best chance came on the hour when Hurst's header was only parried by Pogliacomi to Reeves, but the veteran's shot hit only the side netting.

Oldham responded with solid possession for a long spell but were kept at bay by much good work from Davies and Dawson in particular. With 7 minutes left it was all over as Eyre notched his second from an acute angle to leave the travelling Spireites as low as a snake's belly and as subdued as an undertaker for a miserable trip back over the Pennines.

Results elsewhere left matters out of our hands. In the last game we had to have 3 results going our way. We had to win, whatever and hope that 2 of Rushden and Grimsby not winning and Brentford losing took place. The chances of the Bees losing to Bournemouth at home looked very slim, whilst play-off chasing Vale could surely be relied upon to win in Northamptonshire. The crucial game then was Tranmere v Grimsby. Rovers had little to play for but on the plus side, the Mariners' away form was woeful.

Our final game saw an immaculately observed minute's silence in memory of the recently departed club President, the Duke of Devonshire. Thereafter there was little silence as the Town fans certainly did their bit to buoy the lads up.

The game began in fairly tense fashion with the home side in the ascendancy, but without clear openings. News soon spread of Grimsby being ahead at Tranmere and we all began to feel a little concerned, but still upbeat. At half time the mood was a little odd with most fans sounding neither despondent nor confident. We certainly didn't want Nicky Law putting one over us and shortly after the break that began to look less likely as news came through of a Tranmere equaliser. Vale were also ahead and we were looking better attacking the Kop. News then hit of a Tranmere sending-off, which was a tad disappointing, but then Rovers took the lead and cheers flowed round the ground as we all got the message. It was all back in our hands as Luton were doing their utmost for our rivals. Time and again they hacked clear corners and long throws from Allott. Evatt was twice thwarted by the keeper and a defender and it was beginning to look like we wouldn't do it. Then, with 2 minutes left, Muggleton's punt was flicked on by Evatt, Davis put too little on his header towards keeper Brill and the ever-swift Hurst pounced to poke the ball home.

Saltergate went berserk and a pitch invasion took place. Order was restored within a reasonable amount of time, but the remaining 2 minutes plus injury time seemed to go on forever. As soon as the referee blew, the place was pure pandemonium; probably even better than the quarter-final win over Wrexham. The Great Escape had really happened and we'd sent Nicky Law's Grimsby down-it was all too amazing for words.

Once all this had sunk in over the next few days, matters began to focus on off-field activities like what would the 2 new directors bring to the party and which players would go. Of no surprise were the departure of Marvin Robinson (of the bad attitude), David Reeves (very much the opposite, but of too many years) and Jamie Fullarton (of the unfortunate injury). Matt O'Halloran and Stuart Howson could consider themselves unlucky, but their lack of contractual offers was not a surprise. Many thought Andy Richmond fortunate to be offered terms, but youth is still on his side. The remaining offers were much as we all expected.

News of who was signing filtered through as the month wore on but the signing of hero Glynn Hurst for the relegated Pies was undoubtedly a blow. It certainly leaves us with a lot to do in acquiring forwards, particularly if Brandon and De Bolla don't put pen to paper for us. It was all good fodder for the conversations in the pub to counteract the fascinating test series unfolding against the Kiwis.

All that was then left of note was the unveiling of the potential home kits for next season. Encouragingly, we'd got rid of the red on the kit, but frustratingly, we are still having blue shorts rather than the traditional white. This is because the players want them, supposedly. Why should they have a say? They've no feeling for the traditions of the place unlike the supporters. Anyway, the designs look pretty good, except the one with white sleeves, which will make us look like Millwall if that wins the race.

So, enough of these ramblings for another season the Stags have just lost on penalties and two of theHuddersfield crucial spotkicks surprisingly scored by ex Spireites. 

I'm looking forward to a break from the stress of the game - at least until Portugal anyway.