Manager Nigel Clough provided his analysis of Mansfield Town’s narrow 2-1 home defeat to MK Dons.
The Stags opened the scoring on fifteen minutes when Stephen Quinn slotted home Lucas Akins’ rebounded effort following the latter’s saved penalty.
Dons’ duo Alex Gilbey (20’) and Matthew Dennis (54’) hit back for the visitors to seal the result.
Mansfield, however, remain top of Sky Bet League Two and the gaffer felt Mansfield’s efforts were worthy of a point at One Call Stadium, he told iFollow Stags: “I think we did [do enough to get something from the game]. I think a draw probably would’ve been a fair result.
“We just didn’t do enough in the final third. You do need a break. One might hit somebody on the backside and go in or something like that. We’ve scored 14 goals in our last two home games and it’s as though we used up any good fortune in those two games.
“We hit the target with three or four [opportunities at the end]. You just want one to ricochet in off someone or drop to somebody in open space and it didn’t quite happen.”
Nigel made three changes just after the hour as Tom Nichols, Stephen McLaughlin and Ollie Clarke replaced Will Swan, Baily Cargill and Hiram Boateng, and said: “I don’t think Will Swan looked quite himself as he has done in recent weeks, he’s had a muscle injury. So we got him off and brought Tom [Nichols] on.
“Baily [Cargill] had been booked towards the end of the first-half. So Macca [Stephen McLaughlin] with his attacking intent we brought him on. And we brought Ollie Clarke [for] a bit of physicality.”
The gaffer credited the opposition, who are only the second visiting side to pick up three points at One Call Stadium this season: “They’re probably the best footballing side in the league. The four central midfielders that they have, technically are as good as anyone in the league so you have to get around them. You can’t stop them for 95 minutes, it’s very difficult because they’re so good.”
Mansfield’s attention now turns to the week’s second home game with Swindon Town on Saturday: “[Tonight’s game has] Already gone. Honestly, it’s already gone in our minds.
“We know we can afford to lose a few games before the end of the season because of the position that we’re in. We’re still top of the league and we’re still in a great position.”
