Manager Nigel Clough felt the quality of finishing was the difference between the two sides as Mansfield were edged out 2-1 at home to Wrexham in the Emirates FA Cup first round.
The visitors took a first-half lead on 23 minutes through striker Sam Dalby. Paul Mullin doubled their lead shortly before the hour mark.
Stags were boosted by the return of forward Rhys Oates to the starting lineup, who netted an excellent strike for the Stags on the hour.
The gaffer felt the two outfits were evenly matched over the contest, but Wrexham clinically finished
their opportunities in front of goal.
Speaking to iFollow Stags after the match, he said: “Yeah without a doubt [the finishing was the difference between the teams].
“I thought we had more situations and opportunities [to score] than they did. We didn’t hit the target enough and we certainly didn’t finish [enough of our chances].
“We didn’t make the [opposition] goalkeeper work enough.
“They put two great finishes away. One into the top corner and then Mullin curled another one in. There was an element of misfortune for the second one, certainly.
“I think it’s fair to say we haven’t had a break in the last couple of games in the penalty area. But, we have to be better, we’re creating the chances.”
Nigel was pleased with his side’s effort and general play in the contest.
He said: “I thought we started the second-half brilliantly. I thought they played well in the first-half, they were just a bit fresher than us.
“[The players] Have given absolutely everything, they were absolutely on their knees down there so I can’t ask any more of them.
“They [Wrexham] won’t have had many tougher games than they’ve had tonight.
“We’re just going to totally focus now on the league. No excuses now, [we’ll give] every single league game [our] full attention.”
Nigel opted to move versatile player Jordan Bowery into an attacking position, having previously fielded him at right-back for much of the season.
“We wanted Jordan back up top just because I thought we missed that against Port Vale, so Callum Johnson came in,” he said.
“Rhys [Oates] wasn’t going to play actually. Hiram [Boateng] was going to play but Hiram pulled out.
"He felt it this morning and then tried it in the warm up, but he was no good. So, we thought that Oatesy was going to play on Tuesday against Everton so we might as well get him out tonight. He lasted much longer than we thought, scored a wonderful goal and it’s good to have him back.
“[Ollie Clarke has injured his] Thigh. He just felt it after 35 minutes. You can’t take a chance with things like that. We’ll see how he is in the next few days.”
