Super Stags strike new milestone to cheer Clough
NIGEL Clough hailed Mansfield’s vital win over promotion rivals Exeter as another milestone.
Farrend Rawson put Mansfield ahead after 34 minutes with a close-range goal, before Matty Longstaff doubled the advantage midway through the second half as Stags made it ten straight home wins, a record previously set in 1949.
Stags had Nathan Bishop to thank for keeping their lead intact with a fine double save just before the second goal.
Matt Jay pulled a consolation goal back in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
“It is a significant win because of the quality of the opposition we have played,” said Stages boss Clough. “It is also pretty special to equal a home record that has stood since 1949.
“It seems to be that sort of season with breaking records and it’s another little milestone along the way and shows the incredible run that we are on. It was a tough victory.
“Exeter are the best team we have played and we would have won more comfortably against other teams.
“Farrend Rawson is an unlikely scorer but you take them from wherever you can get them at this stage of the season. I thought all the back four were excellent, and Nathan Bishop, and ultimately that is what has won us the game.”
Rawson put Mansfield ahead with a close range finish from Longstaff ’s cross. Bishop then tipped away a dangerous Jake Caprice shot before Coley drilled wide of a post. The Stags keeper also produced a stunning low reflex save from Coley before saving the rebound with his feet.
Longstaff wrapped up the win with a cool finish from Stephen McGlaughlin’s cross.
Jay fired home from close-range late on but Grecians boss Matt Taylor felt his side were outmuscled in the first half. He said: “They were a lot better than us in the first half and physically dominated us in too many areas.
“We never got hold of the ball enough and we were disappointed to go behind but on the scale of the first half we probably did deserve to be behind.
“The consolation goal came too late. Their keeper has made some good saves. There’s a lot of points to play for and we will be ready on Tuesday to go again.”