Stags were today hit with the deduction and a fine at a special hearing in Birmingham on Monday morning after the league failed to receive a fax containing players registrations, despite it being sent on time from Field Mill.

• Stags deducted four points

But McEwan on Monday afternoon insisted no-one should feel sorry for themselves and the whole Stags family - club and fans alike - should come together and move forward.

He said: "There is nothing we can do about it. We have got to get on with it. It has happened.

"We have to face the consequences and move on and learn from it.

"Is is a club issue and everyone connected with the club will be disappointed. But we are a family club and must try to help and support each other.

• Andy Perry full reaction

"We feel we did things correctly and were not trying to cut corners.

"There has been no sympathy, though maybe they will feel they have shown us some by only giving us a small fine, but they have stuck to the letter of the law.

"To be done for four points is very disappointing. But we must bounce back and be positive. Everyone must muck in.

"It seems a genuine mistake was made. We were not being devious - I would not be associated with anything like that. This is a professional football club and we try to do things correctly by the book.

"It is not about blame. It is a club issue. We have to take it on the chin. It is a bit of a setback but there are still a lot of points to play for.

"Look at my old club Rotherham. They've pulled back a 17 point deduction. And Leeds made the play-offs despite a massive points deduction.

"So it can't be used as an excuse. It has to be a motivational thing. We have to say - hey, we've been smacked on the chin but we will bounce back.

"I feel for the fans and I sorry for the players as they have worked their socks off.

"We always knew it was going to be a very hard job from day one at this club. We had new people taking over and it was a big, big job for them. It was for me too as we only had two contracted players and one was injured.

"People's hearts here are in the right place and want the club to do well. We are one big family.

"I would appeal to the fans to stick with us and hope we can get the club sorted out the way we want it. This can be a smashing little club."

Stags head for Stevenage Borough tomorrow night (7.45pm) for a live Setanta television game and Mcewan added: "There is no point feeling sorry for ourselves. We have got a game tomorrow and we have to try to win the points back.

"I hope to see a good reaction from the players. We will find out tomorrow. There is enough experience in that dressing room - they are not all kids.

"We have been knocked to the floor but are we just going to lie there or are we going to get up again? We have to roll our sleeves up and we can do it.

"I have no time for negative people. I just want winners and people who are positive. I don't want people feeling sorry for themselves - they are weak people."

Skipper Adie Moses' calf strain has improved but on-loan Sheffield United defender Maxime Chanot will stand by to deputise again if needed.

"We do have one or two other bumps and bruises from Saturday which concern us though we hope everyone will be okay," said McEwan.

A 3-0 defeat at Torquay on Saturday ended Borough's impressive five match unbeaten run and the boss added: "They blow hot and cold.

"They got battered at Torquay on Saturday. I know all I need to know about them. I watched Stevenage go 2-0 up against York and then York pulled one back and they capitulated and went 3-2 down before they got a draw.

"It is a nice pitch and we are on TV and we seem to do well on the telly! But we know we must play better than we did on Saturday."