Stags’ boss Steve Evans was visibly hurting this evening after seeing his side lose 3-1 at home to Swindon Town.
First half goals from Swindon midfielder Amine Linganzi and winger John Goddard, in addition to striker Luke Norris' second half penalty, ensured the Robins returned to Wiltshire with all three points, despite frontman Danny Rose's late consolation.
And, speaking to mansfieldtown.net after the full-time whistle, the gaffer was clearly disappointed with his side's performance against the Robins.
"Football's a cruel game isn't it? In the space of two weeks we go from being as good as we were against the league-leaders, to equally as poor a performance as I can remember any of my teams serving up, ever.
"There was a lack of fight, lack of spirit, lack of desire and when you have that, then you invariably lose a game.
"We were 2-0 down, we don't deserve anything else, but to go 3-0 down is particularly cruel. With the benefit of looking at it back, it's not a penalty kick.
"No-one will be more critical of that performance, individually, than myself and Paul [Raynor].
"Some people are claiming I wasn't [hurting]. They don't know me. They'll sleep tonight, I won't."
Reflecting on the goals conceded by his side, the manager was left frustrated by individual errors.
"Swindon played particularly well, scored two goals from mistakes by us and the third goal, as we learnt against the likes of Luton, the third goal kills the game. The third goal went in and it kills the game.
"It's a silly foul by Macca (Alex MacDonald) and Hayden [White] loses the runner, which is a basic set play really.
"It's a goal on four minutes from a simple, basic error by Alex to commit a foul and when you leave the boy [Matt] Taylor to put balls in the box, it's always going to be a problem for you.
"You can talk to players until they're 95 but you're never going to be able to say 'don't give silly fouls away and don't lose your runner'.
"When the second goes in seconds before half-time – again, another error – another runner that's not marked and then you try and have a rally call at half-time."
Stags made a double change at half-time, introducing frontman Lee Angol and winger Omari Sterling-James, and the gaffer believes his side started the second period well, without creating clear chances.
"You can talk to players until they're 95 but you're never going to be able to say 'don't give silly fouls away and don't lose your runner'."
"You try and have reality and a bit of positivity. I thought we started the second half well; I don't think they've got out their half. I'm not saying we're making chances and playing good football, but they've not got out their half.
"We make the changes and we started the second half dominating the game without being overly creative. We were winning the battles and winning the midfield ball but I think when they go and get the penalty, it kills the game."
Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view the manager's full post-match interview.
