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Archived News from May 2022

CLOUGH, PERCH, JOHN RADFORD, JON BRADY REACTION
27th May 2022 13:05


Gaffer commends Stags’ progress
mansfieldtown.net, Wednesday 18th May 2022

Manager Nigel Clough says Mansfield Town’s players and staff ‘deserve a huge amount of credit’ after the team reached the Sky Bet League Two play-off final following a well-earned 1-0 victory over Northampton Town at Sixfields.

The Stags defeated the Cobblers 3-1 on aggregate to reach the play-off final at Wembley and will face either Port Vale or Swindon Town on Saturday 28 May.

Stephen McLaughlin’s 32nd minute strike secured Mansfield’s second victory over Northampton in five days.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/may/gaffer-commends-stags-progress/

“[It was] hard work but I thought it was an incredible effort by all the players tonight and over the two legs,” he told iFollow Stags.

“Tonight, I thought we were very good at denying the opposition a lot of opportunities.

“[It was one of our best defensive performances this season] to keep the clean sheet, certainly, but it started at the front. I thought Quinny [Stephen Quinn] and [Rhys] Oates started that off [the defensive effort]. Then Jordan [Bowery] and Lucas [Akins] doing their defensive duties was outstanding tonight in wide areas.”

"The blocks and the tackles (from everybody) was a feature of the game."

Asked what the scenes are like in the dressing room, Clough laughed: "I don't know, I've come out to talk to you!"

Previously, Stags lost 2-0 in their last visit to Sixfields, on 16 October 2021 and fell to 22nd place in the league and the gaffer highlighted the squad’s progress since.

“We were absolutely down and out [the last time we came to Sixfields],” he said.

“Then we put in an incredible performance on the [following] Tuesday against Port Vale and everything picked up from there.

“Then in seven months we’re going to Wembley.

“I think the players and staff deserve a huge amount of credit. When you’re joint bottom of the league after nearly a third of the season to then reach Wembley is just an incredible achievement.

“I think that bad run we had [was down to] a lot of things going against us which was out of our control, the players kept believing, kept playing and it accumulated in tonight.”

The Stags had to dig in and defend resolutely in order to reach the final stage of the play-offs and the boss also credited his goalkeeper, Nathan Bishop, in keeping a clean sheet.

“The most important save was after about 30 seconds when he tipped one [over the bar],” he said. “If they get a goal then it’s a whole different ball game.

“I thought his handling, his positioning [and] his kicking was good tonight. He’s played over 50 [professional] games this season for the first time in his life, it’s been a brilliant experience for him.”

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Wembley final is an incredible achievement says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Wednesday 18th May 2022

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough said his side booking a Wembley final tonight was an incredible achievement.

A 1-0 win in the League Two play-off semi-final second leg tonight sealed a 3-1 aggregate win and capped a rise from second bottom in the table when Stags were last at Sixfields.

“Last time we were at Northampton we were absolutely down and out,” said Clough.

“We then put an incredible performance in on the Tuesday against Port Vale and picked up from there.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/wembley-final-is-an-incredible-achievement-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-3699997

“To turn it round over seven or eight months and to be going to Wembley, I think the players and staff deserve a huge amount of credit.

“When you are joint bottom of the league after a third of the season, then to reach Wembley - and we still have a job to do there - is just an incredible achievement.

“Players kept the faith, kept believing, kept playing and it has culminated in tonight.”

He added: “It was hard work but it was an incredible effort by the players over the two legs - and the last eight months.

“Tonight we were very, very good in denying the opposition a lot of opportunities. The blocks and the tackles were a feature of the game.

“The defending started at the front. I thought Quinny and Oatesy started that off and Jordan and Lucas doing their defensive duties were outstanding tonight.”

Clough made three changes from the first leg and said: “We picked a team to win the game and do the job - and they did it.

“We thought that was the right team. We didn't think it was going to be a particular night for our players like Matty Longstaff, Ryan Stirk and Jamie Murphy - so we couldn't get them on.”

On loan keeper Nathan Bishop had a superb evening and Clough said: “His most important save was after about 30 seconds of the game where he tipped one away. If they get a goal then it's a whole different ball game tonight.

“I thought his positioning, his handling, his kicking, everything was good tonight. He's played over 50 games for the first time in his life and it's been a brilliant experience for him.”

Stephen McLaughlin scored the match-winning goal and Clough smiled: “I am not sure what Stephen McLaughlin was doing up there. We thought Jordan Bowery had scored at first!

“But it was Macca - and with his right foot as well - he has got some very important goals for us this season.

On the possible offside: "The fourth official said no impact on the play (from Quinn)."

“We are now all going out for a beer tomorrow afternoon, then the hard work begins again.”

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Nigel Clough: Mansfield Town have 'aimed for' Wembley play-off final
bbc.co.uk

Boss Nigel Clough says reaching the play-off final at Wembley has helped Mansfield overcome the "regret" of missing out on automatic promotion because of a poor early-season run.

The Stags are one win from returning to the third tier for the first time since 2003 after getting past Northampton.

Mansfield were in the relegation zone in October but went on to finish just four points short of going straight up.

"This is what we've aimed for," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61506261

"We were a bit disappointed in the last six weeks of the season not to have a closer crack at automatic promotion, because it was so tight.

"To finish just seven points from the top of the league really made us look back with a few regrets early in the season.

"But that's all gone, we can't do anything about that - let's look forward to Wembley, see who we play and see if we can win."

The Stags will face either Port Vale or Swindon Town at the national stadium on Saturday, 28 May, with the Robins holding a 2-1 advantage going into their trip to Vale Park on Thursday.

A 14-game winless run in all competitions between mid-August and late October left Mansfield second-from-bottom.

While Clough's side were equal on points with last-placed Scunthorpe at that time, the Stags went on to surge up the table to challenge for promotion while the Iron never recovered and were relegated.

A club record 11 consecutive home league wins was instrumental in helping the Stags turn their season around.

At Sixfields - a ground where Clough says they suffered one their worst defeats earlier in the season - Mansfield booked their first trip to Wembley since 2011 after beating the Cobblers 1-0 in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory.

"We were pretty much rock bottom," Clough said of the 2-0 defeat at Sixfields in October.

"We were absolutely out of it really. It was our poorest performance by some distance. We were near the bottom of the league.

"But they [players] kept believing and we kept believing in them."

Talking about the team, Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham that 7 of the 10 outfield players were over 30, and it was "very important in these circumstances to have that experience."

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Mansfield Town: Manager Nigel Clough says pitch invasions are 'getting concerning'
bbc.co.uk

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough says pitch invader incidents are "getting concerning" after one of his players was apparently shoved by a fan that ran on to the field at Northampton.

Forward Jordan Bowery appeared to be barged into late on in Wednesday's 1-0 League Two semi-final second-leg win.

The incident came a day after Sheffield United's Billy Sharp was injured by a pitch invader at Nottingham Forest.

"Football from the top level have to address it," Clough said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61507970

The Football Association is looking into the incident at Sixfields on Wednesday.

No arrests have been made, and neither club has formally commented on it.

Talking to BBC East Midlands Today following Wednesday's win that sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory for Mansfield, Clough said more needs to be done to control fans after flares were also let off at Sixfields when supporters ran on to the pitch.

Wembley is what Stags have aimed for - Clough
Bowery remained on his feet after appearing to be shoved before Northampton players and stewards intervened and led the pitch invader off.

"After what happened [at Nottingham Forest] it's getting a bit concerning for everybody," Clough said.

"You get enough stewards, enough security people around that people can't encroach on the pitch.

"The pitch is for the 22 players and the referee and assistants when they need to come on. No-one else should be on it."

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Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough calls for increased security at matches after Northampton Town pitch invaders threatened his players
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Wednesday 18th May 2022

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough has called for more security at matches after three Northampton Town fans ran onto the field just before the end of last night's play-off clash at Sixfields and one barged into Stags striker Jordan Bowery.

Also a flare was hurled in the direction of the visiting players as Mansfield ended Northampton's play-off dream with a 3-1 aggregate victory that booked them a Wembley final.

No one was hurt and security quickly captured the culprits but, 24 hours after Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp was injured by a Forest fan who ran onto the field, Clough was naturally worried and said he felt the current wave of disorder stemmed from the trouble at the Euros final at Wembley last summer.

“This is very concerning and it is very important that security is stepped up now at football matches,” he said.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-calls-for-increased-security-at-matches-after-northampton-town-pitch-invaders-threatened-his-players-3700879

“This has got to be dealt with and sorted out now. It is becoming a problem.

“Arrests and disorder are up at matches since January. Supporters are not allowed on to the pitch at any time.

“Only the 22 players and the officials should be on the pitch. So stay off it.

“Luckily none of my players have been injured, they are all fine. But this sort of incident has got to be nipped in the bud now.”

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Opposition view: Clough saw nothing wrong with Mansfield's decisive goal in second leg against Cobblers
‘We still have a job to do at Wembley but it's an incredible achievement.’

northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough hailed the ‘incredible achievement’ of reaching Wembley and the League Two play-off final after his side beat Northampton 3-1 over two legs.

Stephen McLaughlin’s 31st-minute goal combined with some superb defending at Sixfields was enough to take Mansfield to within 90 minutes of winning promotion to League One.

There was more than a hint of controversy to McLaughlin’s strike, though, after an offside Stephen Quinn made a move towards the ball before leaving it to Elliott Hewitt who set up the goal.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/opposition-view-clough-saw-nothing-wrong-with-mansfields-decisive-goal-in-second-leg-against-cobblers-3701192

Clough felt it was the correct decision to allow the goal to stand, saying: "That's the rule now. I know a few of their supporters and players were upset about it but you see those goals given every week now because the fourth has said Quinny had no impact on the play.

On the game itself, Clough added: "Northampton were a kick away from automatic promotion and they are a very good side so it's an incredible effort to win both legs."

"It took a lot of hard work but I thought it was an incredible effort from the players over the two legs and over the last eight or nine months."I thought we were very, very good this evening in denying the opposition too many opportunities - it was properly one of our best defensive performances all season, certainly to keep a clean sheet."It all started at the front and I thought Jordan (Bowery) and Lucas (Akins) did their defensive duties and the team was outstanding in all areas."We were at our lowest ebb when we came here (Sixfields) earlier in the season and we were down and out but we put in a good performance in the next game and then everything picked up from there."When you are down at the bottom after a third of the season and then you go and reach Wembley, the players and staff deserve a huge amount of credit to turn it around."We still have a job to do at Wembley but it's an incredible achievement."

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Stags defensively ‘immense’ to secure Wembley final - defender
mansfieldtown.net, Wednesday 18th May 2022

Defender James Perch has credited Mansfield Town’s defensive resiliency after the Stags superbly secured a place in the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final.

Nigel Clough’s men beat Northampton Town 1-0 at Sixfields to progress to Wembley following a resilient and dogged display.

Perch, who was born and raised in Mansfield, credited an impressive defensive performance from the entire team in securing the result, saying: “We knew it was going to be a battle coming to Northampton. They sling the ball in from everywhere, but I think we was immense defensively.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/may/stags-defensively-immense-to-secure-wembley-final---defender/

“Not just as a back four, back five, but as a team. Jordan [Bowery] has put in a right shift, Lucas [Atkins] has, [Rhys] Oatesy’s ran himself into the ground, it was just an all-round great team performance.”

The defender also praised goalkeeper Nathan Bishop for another strong performance in between the sticks.

“Absolutely brilliant tonight, Bish was. Commanding, he came and caught balls, he was confident, and his kicking was brilliant,” he said.

“He’s been good for us all season. He’s been top class and there’s no wonder he’s at Man. United.”

"The goal was massive. Looking back now, we didn't need it in the end. But it puts a dagger into them, it takes the stuffing out of them.

Perch, who was almost forced into retirement after sustaining a fractured skull in September, is thrilled to see his boyhood club make it to the final, saying: “Absolutely delighted. From one minute I was going to retire, then I got the good news I could play again. I’ve come back to play and that’s all credit to the medical staff.

“The gaffer, his staff and the players have all been great with me and so have the fans. Everyone around Mansfield has given great support.”

Speaking directly after last night’s game, he said: “The gaffer is going to take us out tomorrow (Thursday) for some food and drink, we’re playing golf in the morning and just relaxing, getting back down to reality.”

“We can’t let it overtake us and carry on until next week. We know we’ve got a few days now where we can enjoy ourselves, but once next week comes, we’re back to work.”

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Playing for hometown club Mansfield Town at Wembley will mean the world to James Perch
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Wednesday 18th May 2022

Mansfield Town star James Perch said reaching Wembley meant the world to him as he looks forward to playing for his hometown club in the League Two play-off final a week on Saturday

Stags completed a 3-1 aggregate win over Northampton Town at Sixfields tonight to book their place and Perch said after tonight's 1-0 win: “It is brilliant and it means so much to us as players, the fans, the club, people around Mansfield. It means the world.

“We have put in a right shift there over two games and got the reward.

“We knew it was going to be a battle coming to Northampton. They sling the ball in from everywhere, but I think we were immense defensively. Not just as a back four but as a team. It was a great all-round team performance.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/playing-for-hometown-club-mansfield-town-at-wembley-will-mean-the-world-to-james-perch-3700003

“And Bish was brilliant in goal tonight - commanding. He has been good for us all season. He is top class and no wonder he is at Manchester United. He's there for a reason.

It was massive to get the goal tonight but, looking back, we didn't need it in the end. It put a dagger into them, killed them a bit and knocked the stuffing out of them.

“That's what we came to do. The gaffer sets us up to score goals on the front foot.”

He added: “It was crazy in the dressing room afterwards. There was a lot of shouting and singing and the chairman came in which was nice and shook everyone's hands.”

Stags were second to bottom earlier in the season but Perch said the squad always felt they could turn the season round.

“We always believed what the gaffer was telling us was right,” he said.

“We knew when got out players back fit we could go on runs like we have this season, break records and get up the table. We knew we were good enough as a squad.”

Perch's personal season has been massive ups and downs too after he fractured his skull in training and was told his season was over, possibly his career.

“I am absolutely delighted. One minute I am going to retire, then I got the good news I could play again,” he said.

“I came back, credit to the medical staff, the gaffer and his staff and the players and fans have been great with me and given me great support.

“The fans have been brilliant all season and I can't thank them enough.

Perch and the rest of the squad are now planning to enjoy a few days of celebration and relaxation.

“We have nine or 10 days to the final,” he said.

“The gaffer is taking us out tomorrow for some food and a drink. We're playing golf in the morning.

“We will relax and get back down to reality. We can't let it overtake us. We know we have a few days we can enjoy ourselves.

“But when next week comes we are back to work.

“A big shout out to Forest too - we have two Nottinghamshire clubs in the finals on the same weekend.”

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John-Joe O'Toole was the SkyBet Sky Sports man of the match, and he told Sky Sports:
"A brilliant effort from everyone in that changing room.
"The fans right behind us the whole way. They deserve it as much as us, been right behind us all season.
"Got one more push now."

Stephen McLaughlin told Sky Sports:
"I think Elliott shouted to him (Quinn) to leave it alone.
"Elliott's picked me out. Can't believe it, right back to left back, and we score."

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Mansfield Town chairman John Radford told BBC Radio Nottingham and BBC East Midlands TV the win at Sixfields to get the Stags to Wembley was "absolutely perfect".

"Absolutely over the moon. The clock seemed to have stopped for a while."

"Cloughy has them playing well and we were able to park the bus and hold on," he said.

"The fans got right behind them, it was a fantastic experience."

"Looking forward to it now, we've got two Notts teams at Wembley. The atmosphere there's going to be brilliant."

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Brady 'completely overwhelmed' by fans' reaction after full-time and says Cobblers are 'going the right way'
‘You have to let the dust settle but it just makes us hungry for more and hungry to drive on and get back into League One.’

northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan

Cobblers manager Jon Brady was ‘completely overwhelmed’ by the reaction of home supporters at Sixfields after his side were beaten by Mansfield in the League Two play-off semi-final on Wednesday.

Town gave it their all over both legs but ultimately came up short as Stephen McLaughlin’s first-half strike added to Mansfield’s advantage from Field Mill and effectively booked their place at Wembley next Saturday.

However, despite the huge disappointment of narrowly missing out on promotion for the second time in the space of 12 days, a large number of fans stayed behind after full-time to clap the players and staff off, with many chanting Brady’s name.

"We have had a fantastic season,” said Brady. “We just missed out by a whisker for automatic promotion but I was just completely overwhelmed by the reaction of the fans at the end of the game.

"I think they felt the effort the players gave tonight because it was absolutely incredible. We pushed and pushed and pushed and unfortunately we just couldn't get over the line and get ourselves to Wembley.

"It's deeply disappointing and the players are deeply disappointed but I can't ask for anything more from them because they have given absolutely everything this season.

"We kept knocking on the door but Mansfield kept it shut with block after block and they worked very hard. We probably could have had two penalties as well but what's done is done.

"We said from the start of the season that we wanted to build a connection between staff, players and fans. The fans told us at the start of the season that they wanted a team to be proud of and hopefully we have delivered that.

"We have a group of staff here who really care and who are connected to the town and give it everything we have. We will come back again.

"You have to let the dust settle but it just makes us hungry for more and hungry to drive on and get back into League One. This club is going the right way and we will come back with renewed vigour.”

Brady also commented on the unsavoury scenes at the end of the game when several fans ran onto the pitch and squared up to a couple of players. The incident came just 24 hours after Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp was attacked by a Nottingham Forest fan following their Championship play-off game at the City Ground.

"It's obviously not right," said Brady. "I thought the incident with Billy Sharp the other night was disgusting. I'm not sure if they were Northampton or Mansfield fans but it's not right and you don't want to see it."

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Brady happy with performance but feels aggrieved by key decisions after play-off heartbreak
Northampton Town 0 (1) Mansfield Town 1 (3)

northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan

Jon Brady was happy enough with Cobblers’ performance despite their play-off campaign ending in defeat to Mansfield Town at Sixfields on Wednesday.

Town trailed 2-1 after the first leg and then fell further behind to Stephen McLaughlin’s first-half strike. The hosts piled on plenty of pressure but could find no way through a resolute Stags defence.

They perhaps should have had two penalties for fouls on Fraser Horsfall and Louis Appere either side of half-time but it wasn’t to be as their promotion dream died for another season.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/brady-happy-with-performance-but-feels-aggrieved-by-key-decisions-after-play-off-heartbreak-3699998

Brady said: "I felt we played really well tonight and we dominated most of the game but our best chance probably came with Josh Eppiah's header in the first minute or two.

"Credit to Mansfield, they put their bodies on the line. There were loads of blocks and loads of clearances. We had a lot of entries into the final third and into their box but they battled and worked hard to deny us.

"We dominated play and dominated all of the stats but unfortunately we did not test their goalkeeper enough.

"But I've been told we should have had two penalties, one in the first half on Fraser Horsfall which the referee's assessor almost apologised for, and then the one on Louis Appere which is a foul in the box.

"We have had to deal with some tough decisions all season, but I have to congratulate Nigel Clough and Mansfield and we wish them all the best.”

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Northampton Town boss John Brady wishes Mansfield Town all the best for Wembley final but upset over missed penalty decisions
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Wednesday 18th May 2022

Northampton Town boss Jon Brady wished Mansfield Town all the best in their Wembley final, but believes his side should have had two penalty kicks last night as Stags won 1-0 at Sixfields to complete a 3-1 aggregate League Two play-off semi-final success.

“We have had to deal with some tough decisions all season, but I have to congratulate Nigel Clough and Mansfield and we wish them all the best,” he said.

“But I've been told we should have had two penalties, one in the first half on Fraser Horsfall which the referee's assessor almost apologised for, and then the one on Louis Appere which is a foul in the box.

“I felt we played really well tonight and we dominated most of the game but our best chance probably came with Josh Eppiah's header in the first minute or two.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/northampton-town-boss-john-brady-wishes-mansfield-town-all-the-best-for-wembley-final-but-upset-over-missed-penalty-decisions-3700918

“Credit to Mansfield, they put their bodies on the line. There were loads of blocks and loads of clearances. We had a lot of entries into the final third and into their box but they battled and worked hard to deny us.

“We dominated play and dominated all of the stats but unfortunately we did not test their goalkeeper enough.”

He continued: “We have had a fantastic season. We just missed out by a whisker for automatic promotion but I was just completely overwhelmed by the reaction of the fans at the end of the game.

“I think they felt the effort the players gave tonight because it was absolutely incredible. We pushed and pushed and pushed and unfortunately we just couldn't get over the line and get ourselves to Wembley.

“It's deeply disappointing and the players are deeply disappointed but I can't ask for anything more from them because they have given absolutely everything this season.

“We kept knocking on the door but Mansfield kept it shut with block after block and they worked very hard. We probably could have had two penalties as well but what's done is done.

“We said from the start of the season that we wanted to build a connection between staff, players and fans. The fans told us at the start of the season that they wanted a team to be proud of and hopefully we have delivered that.

“We have a group of staff here who really care and who are connected to the town and give it everything we have. We will come back again.

“You have to let the dust settle but it just makes us hungry for more and hungry to drive on and get back into League One. This club is going the right way and we will come back with renewed vigour.”

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Keith Curle and Sky Sports pundits question controversial decisions against Cobblers in play-off tie with Mansfield Town
McLaughlin’s goal stood despite strong shouts for offside while two Mansfield players were also lucky not to see red

northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan

Former Cobblers boss Keith Curle questioned the validity of Mansfield’s decisive goal in Wednesday’s play-off semi-final second leg at Sixfields.

Curle, working in his capacity as a pundit for Sky Sports, felt Stephen Quinn should have been flagged offside in the build up to the goal. The midfielder was clearly in an offside position and made a move towards the ball before leaving it for Elliott Hewitt to cross, with Stephen McLaughlin converting.

That took Mansfield a giant step closer to Wembley and extended their overall lead in the tie to 3-1. They soaked up plenty of second-half pressure to hold on and seal a place in the League Two play-off final.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/keith-curle-and-sky-sports-pundits-question-controversial-decisions-against-cobblers-in-play-off-tie-with-mansfield-town-3700303

Analysing the incident at half-time, Curle told Sky: "I know what you say about ‘rules are rules’ but my understanding is that when you have made an attempt to go for the ball, the linesman has every right to put his flag up because a player in an offside position has made an attempt to get the ball.

"In those circumstances, I think I would have been speaking to the fourth official - in the right way - and asking for clarity on the rules.

"My interpretation was that if an offside player makes an obvious attempt to go for the ball, the linesman has every right to put his flag up.”

Fellow pundit Aaron McLean, the former Peterborough and Hull City striker, added: “Quinn is clearly in an offside position and he makes an attempt to go to the ball.

"Elliott Hewitt does brilliantly and says to Quinn to leave it. Eppiah doesn’t track the run and by the time he gets back McLaughlin tucks it away but I can understand (the frustration) because there is a clear offside in the first instance.”

The defeat ended Town’s hopes of promotion but Curle believes the club are well-placed to bounce back next season, adding: “It is going to hurt. What I would say about the football club is it's a very honest, well-structured club."

Meanwhile, co-commentator and ex-Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie felt Mansfield could have had two players sent off in the second-half of Wednesday’s game. Kieran Wallace lunged in recklessly on Josh Eppiah shortly after half-time but only saw yellow whilst Quinn was not even booked despite appearing to slap Shaun McWilliams in the face off the ball.

On the first incident, Hendrie said: “I’ll tell you what, it’s a red card for me. You cannot lunge in that way. It’s reckless.” He also described Quinn as ‘very lucky' to stay on the pitch.

Wallace’s challenge forced Eppiah to come off with injury and Town boss Jon Brady gave his view after the game, saying: "It certainly curtailed Josh's night and it was a very heavy hit. A lot of people tell me that it should have been a red card.

"I'm not so sure but from my position, it did look a very physical challenge."

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