Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough highlighted the impact made by Stags’ substitutes - describing them as ‘the difference’ - in this afternoon’s 3-1 win at AFC Wimbledon.
Danny Johnson was found by Hiram Boateng in the second 45 before slotting home for Mansfield’s second, with both players beginning the match on the substitutes' bench.
Jason Law and James Gale also added fine displays to ensure Stags returned to winning ways in The Capital.
Speaking to iFollow Stags post-match, Nigel said: “Everybody is contributing.
“The substitutes today were absolutely huge for us, the four that came on.
“They made the difference for us in the game."
On his side’s performance, the boss added: “In the first 10, 15 minutes we looked a yard off it, but we grew into the game.
“Ironically, I think we were having our best spell when they scored.
“We had a very good response and a very good second-half.”
Riley Harbottle levelled the contest on 30 minutes.
“Most people are static in the box,” said the gaffer.
“He’s [Harbottle] almost like a striker [in the area].
“He does it in training quite often.
“When he’s alive, he gets a little toe [on the ball] - a very very important goal.”
Danny Johnson came on at half-time, before bagging his first for the club since 2021.
“Callum Johnson felt his calf. Either a kick or a strain and couldn’t go on,” Nigel said.
“Lucas [Akins] again showed his versatility, he went to right wing-back and we got Danny on up front who got us the all-important second goal.
“It was the turning point because right up until that goal there was nothing in the game.
"It can [always] go either way.”
Hiram Boateng’s cameo, in particular, pleased the manager.
“I thought he was brilliant when he came on today,” he said.
“He’s not suited to sitting in a holding position. He’s better going forward.
“He had to come on and do it for half an hour today and I thought he gave us an element of control in the game.
“His through ball for Danny was superb.”
Stags’ third of the match came courtesy of the impressive Davis Keillor-Dunn.
“His first touch was brilliant when he just cut across the lad and then he just stroked it in with his left foot.
“I think that really knocked the stuffing out of them [Wimbledon].
“We still had a few scares in the last few minutes but we saw it through.”
Nigel went on to provide the latest on the injury front.
“He’s [Christy Pym] ill. He trained on Wednesday but he’s had some sort of stomach problem.
“He’s being treated and we’ll see how he is next week.
“[Elliott Hewitt’s injury is] a kick on the calf, as well as a sore knee.
“To have nine contact injuries [as a squad] is quite incredible.
“It’s too early to tell at the moment [who, if any, are close to a return].
“George Maris’ Achilles is still sore.
“Oatesy’s coming on alright. It will just be how much he can handle his shoulder.
“We’ll see how we are later in the week.”
