Goalscorer Rhys Oates rued missed chances as Stags bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup.
The frontman was part of a Mansfield side which registered 24 shots at goal, but exited the first round of the competition following a 2-1 home loss against fellow League Two promotion challengers Wrexham.
The Reds scored in either half to lead 2-0, before Oates reduced the arrears on the hour.
“It was a good game overall,” said Oates. “We just didn’t take our chances and they did. We probably had more efforts on goal than they did but they were more clinical.
“Throughout the squad we’ve all had chances and we just need to put a few more away.
“With the pitch tonight and how wet it’s been, the ball could bounce anywhere and it's just about being relaxed in those moments.
“We gave it everything. We just couldn’t get over the line tonight.”
On his goal to halve the deficit, he said: “I think it was about time in the game. I’d had a few efforts which went way off target and a couple straight at the ‘keeper. It was about time I rifled one in. It’s good to be back with a goal.
“It’s just come off my foot clean and it was good to see it go into the top corner.”
Targeting a run in the team, Oates said:
“I just need to try and get back to what I was doing before the injury. I just need to put it behind me and look at how I was doing beforehand and try and get back to that.”
When asked about his reflections on the season so far, Oates said: “I think it’s been a good season.
“The last two results don’t reflect that but we’re still unbeaten in the league and are in a good position. We need to forget about the last two games and look about what we’ve done in the previous 19 games before this week and just keep going and do what we’ve been doing. We’ve been brilliant.”
