Stags’ boss Nigel Clough pinpointed midfielder Stephen Quinn‘s hour of action as the main benefit from last night’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash away to Burton.
Mansfield lost 2-1 as they exited the competition after finishing third in the group stages.
However, experienced midfielder Stephen Quinn made his first start since 26 August following a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Speaking to iFollow Stags, Nigel said: “We thought he might just do 45 [minutes] but he did 60. I thought for the first half-an-hour or so he was very good indeed and you saw the quality which you miss when he’s not around.”
Striker Lucas Akins, also on his return to former club Burton, played the full game.
“We got Lucas back on the pitch,” said Nigel. “It wasn’t ideal him playing 90-100 minutes. He was only down to play 70, coming back after his facial injury. James Gale getting injured and Will Swan coming off at half-time scuppered the plans.
“Swanny felt his groin a little bit in training yesterday. He was okay to start but [it was] just getting worse towards half-time so we didn’t want to risk him anymore.
“Galey took that smash with the clearance and went over on his knee so we’re not yet sure about that one.”
There was also a second-half appearance from defender-cum-midfielder John-Joe O’Toole for the first time since mid-February.
“It’s a long time [out] so it was important to get him back on the pitch, but we have a couple of Central League games coming up before Christmas so he’ll build his playing time up in those, but it was nice to get him back on the pitch.”
Offering his thoughts on the contest, Nigel added: “It was a proper game. It was very competitive, which is how it should be.
“Having gone one-nil up, I was just disappointed we didn’t keep the lead until half-time, and the manner in which we conceded the goal. [It was] A crunching challenge on the edge of their box, [and then] a ricochet for them. We’ve got two on one back there with the two Georges; Williams and Cooper and Stockton has squirmed his way through and side footed it in. That was the turning point of the evening.”
