Clough's crucial influence explained as Cooper hails victory

Richard Cooper hailed Nigel Clough's influence as Mansfield Town knocked Sunderland out of the FA Cup in the first round.

C a reta ke r b o s s C o o p e r was unbeaten in his three games in charge, but the 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light was the Stags' first competitive win of the campaign in any competition.

Clough was appointed as the club's new manager on

Friday, but watched the win from the stands.

Clough had said prematch that he would tell his new players 'to have a go' and not sit back, and Cooper said his influence was key.

“The gaffer [Nigel Clough] has been great,” he added. “H e p o p p e d i n o n Fr i d ay a n d g ave s o m e m e s s a ge s and encouragement before the game.

“He came in at half-time and I think I could hear him a few times during the game as well!

“It wa s n i c e to f i n a l l y hand over the team responsibilities to him.

“Having the gaffer in and around it meant a lot and it was a great feeling."

Cooper praised his team's commitment in seeing out the win, but also said his side had played 'some good stuff ' in victory. like this and actually get that victory means a lot.

"We s h o w e d t o ge t h e r - ness, commitment – it [performance] had everything. I’m really pleased.

“We thought we played some good stuff and it was a great header [from George Lapslie].

"As soon as it left Kellan’s [Gordon] foot, you saw Laps i n th e b ox a n d i t’s h i t th e back of the net. "It was a great feeling. "H e [ B owe r y] i s a m a n possessed for me.

"I th oug ht h i s p e r fo r - mance was as a real leader and a character in both boxes.

“H e wa s rea l l y u n s e l f - ish and the running he gets through, he’s always for the team and not himself.

“It was another brilliant performance from him to be honest.”