Bernard McNally column: Every step forward is a positive for us

The point from the late own goal lifted us one position – you’ve got to take the positives.

Scunthorpe just tried to spoil the game. We had the entire second half left and they were taking their time over everything – throw-ins, free-kicks, going down injured. They were playing the game.

Obviously they were desperate for three points at 1-0 up. It’s very frustrating but points are that tight teams will try everything.

We’d have done it ourselves back in the day – but not as early as Scunny were! Usually it’s 10 minutes left when you’re wasting time.

It was not pretty and a bit ridiculous, but different managers want different things. I’d never seen it to the degree they were doing it.

I thought it was brave of Sam Ricketts to bring off Anthony Grant and James Bolton for Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Tyrese Campbell.

He showed his intentions, not to sit back and take off a striker and instead played with three.

I think he was trying to show ‘Yes, we’re going for it and we want to win’.

Thankfully, Sam and his players managed the late goal.

Every little step forward is a big positive. We didn’t drop down. Sam will reiterate that to the players.

We didn’t play particularly well but came away with a point. Now you look forward and it’s staying positive on the last leg.

We’re very close, I think a win at Gillingham could make us safe. There won’t be as much pressure to get that crucial win going all the way to Kent so that might help us get the three points.

Gills’ scout sat next to me at the last match. He was taking down corner and free-kick takers. Teams send out scouts to see if there are specifics or any stars to be wary of.

I’d like to see Town’s Scott Golbourne come to the party a little more. I think there are one or two players that go hiding a little.

You find that when there’s pressure, but I’d sit certain players down and say ‘come and produce’, to want the ball more, to add to and affect the team.

There are one or two that play within themselves. You want players that affect the game and not Steady Eddies. Shaun Whalley always looks exciting, he could be an example to others.

Town will likely travel to Kent tomorrow and stay overnight ahead of the game.

In our time, doing that varied. We did both, we’ve travelled the night before and not given a good performance – the directors gave us some deserved grief!

Then we’d travel three or four hours on the day and give a great performance.

I wouldn’t want to be doing that today though, in the modern game – it helps to do it right and rest the night before.