Stags’ boss Nigel Clough commended his side’s ’very comprehensive’ performance as Mansfield convincingly beat Gillingham 2-0 in Kent this afternoon.
The amber and blue recorded back-to-back away wins courtesy of first half goals from Lucas Akins and George Lapslie.
And speaking to the local media post-match, the gaffer expressed his delight at the overall performance in front of 404 travelling fans.
“I thought it was very comprehensive,” said the manager.
“I thought it was excellent from the first minute to the last.
“I thought the second half we managed the game brilliantly. I don't think Christy [Pym] had a serious save to make.
“We looked a threat still in the second half, so I thought all round it was as good of an away performance as we’ve had for some time.”
An impressive first half display saw Mansfield Town 2-0 up at the break at MEMS Priestfield Stadium despite also missing a penalty.
“I thought we started the game very positively and took the game to them, [we] put them on the back foot.
“[We] got the goals we deserved. If the penalty goes in [it] might be a little bit more comfortable. You’re never sure at 2-0 if they [manage to] get a goal back.
“I thought we looked after the ball, especially in the last 10/15 minutes.”
Kellan Gordon returned to the starting line-up this afternoon, replacing Jordan Bowery and wonderfully assisted Lucas Akins after 17 minutes for Stags’ opening goal.
“[We’ve] been thinking about Kells [Kellan Gordon] having a game for the last week or two. Jordan [Bowery] has been below par for the last couple of games so we thought let’s give Kell a run today.
“It was good having him as an option.
“He put a good cross in [for the opening goal].
“The technical side [from Lucas Akins] to the finish was magnificent. He’s almost going back on himself to control it and put it in the opposite corner. It was as good a finish as you’ll see today.”
Mansfield managed to pick up their first clean sheet on the road this season and Nigel said: “That’s what the key to it is, no mistakes, don't take any chances and do your jobs.
“I thought we competed in the air brilliantly. We gave too many free kicks away in the first half, gave them the opportunity to put the ball in the box, but when we did do that we defended it brilliantly.
“You saw the importance of the point on Tuesday night [against Carlisle]. If you lose the game which we could've done 1-0, then you don't come here in the same frame of mind, with the same confidence and put the same performance on.
“That’s how important that point was, I said after the game on Tuesday because we got that point, we will get something on Saturday.”
