Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says the manner in which the Stags conceded in this afternoon’s 3-2 loss at Crawley was ‘uncharacteristic’ of his side.
Mansfield entered the game unbeaten in seven league matches but an Ashley Nadesan brace and another goal from Tom Nichols ended Stags’ impressive run of form in West Sussex.
The amber and blue staged a first-half comeback with Jordan Bowery and George Lapslie scoring before the break, but The Red Devils secured all three points with Nadesan’s second of the game on 46 minutes.
Speaking to iFollow Stags post-match, Nigel said: “Certainly the way we conceded the goals [was uncharacteristic].
“We’ve scored two goals away from home and it should be good enough for at least a point.
“[We] Had chances to score more than that but the manner of the goals [we] conceded were far too easy from our point of view and the timings [of the Crawley goals] were also incredibly poor.
“We talked about really starting [the game] quickly if we could and putting them under pressure and it turned out [to be] the other way [around] and we’re 2-0 down after ten minutes or so.
“[We have away a] Needless free-kick on the far side for the second [goal] and the first [goal is] just far too easy.
“Everything we’ve based our recent four victories on the road on was being solid, difficult to score against and difficult to create chances against.
“[We’re] One of the best in the league for [the amount of] chances created against us and that for some reason went out the window at certain points today.”
After getting back on level terms, the Stags found themselves behind almost immediately after the interval.
“We said to the players ‘don’t waste the 2-0 comeback’.
“Within a minute of the second-half, we’re chasing [the game] from an unbelievably poor goal again.”
At half-time, Nigel changed system to a 4-3-3 formation.
“I thought we looked too open [in the first-half],” he said.
“[We changed things tactically] Just to try and be a little bit more solid.
“I don’t think it was anything to do with formations.
“We’ve had a fantastic week of training.
“The quality has been as good as it's ever been.
“Then we haven’t produced [in the game] on the Saturday.”
Forward Will Swan made his first start after recovering from illness.
“I thought he [Swan] had two [great chances to score],” the boss said
“First, in the first-half especially, I think he has to hit the target.
“Then he's got one from 17-18 yards [out from goal] in the second-half and with his quality you really fancy him to find the bottom corner.
“[It just] Wasn't his day today.”
Ahead of Tuesday night's league fixture at home to Newport County, Nigel provided the latest on the injury front.
“[Stephen McLaughlin was out with the] Knee injury that he had last week.
“[We’re] Not sure if he’ll be available for Tuesday [and] Saturday or the FA Cup [first round at Barrow in November].
“We’ll just have to wait and see.
“Kell [Kellan] Gordon is not far away.
“[It’s] His groin problem. It’s just when he really crosses it and whips the ball in which is his stock, delivery from wide positions, so that has to be right.
“James Perch [missed today's game due to] illness.”
