Harry Anderson opened the scoring for the visitors, before Lewis Brunt restored parity just after the hour mark.
It was a sixth draw in eight winless games for Cowley’s men as they remain just one place above the drop zone.
“They are the best team in the division – there is a lot to respect in Mansfield,” he said.
“So to come here and put on the performance that we did, we have a lot to be proud of and, ultimately, we’re disappointed not to have won.
“I know the home fans were getting a bit frustrated, I am not sure if they were getting frustrated with us or their own team. I am not sure if people expected us to just turn up here and lie down and let them run all over us.
“But that won’t happen on my watch – over my dead body. We want to be winners. We were gritty, determined, resilient and also streetwise.
“We showed all the qualities I like in one of my team’s performances and I was proud of our efforts.
“We’re not about to give up our league status easily – we now have nine games left and we will give it absolutely everything we’ve got.”
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
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This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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