A 'real team effort' - and a cameo from new boss Nigel Clough - inspired Mansfield Town to FA Cup win at Sunderland - Cooper

‘Absolutely delighted’ caretaker boss signs off with victory...
Mansfield Town won 1-0 at Sunderland. Photo: Frank Reid.Mansfield Town won 1-0 at Sunderland. Photo: Frank Reid.
Mansfield Town won 1-0 at Sunderland. Photo: Frank Reid.

'Delighted' Richard Cooper gave his Mansfield Town side the thumbs up as they secured their first win of the season - knocking League One Sunderland out of the FA Cup.

Fifteen matches into the campaign and the Stags finally have that first tick in the W column thanks to George Lapslie's finish at the Stadium of Light.

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The loanee ensured Cooper's tensure as Town caretaker boss finished on a high following 1-1 draws against Bolton and Walsall.

Two draws and a win for Cooper.Two draws and a win for Cooper.
Two draws and a win for Cooper.

It was March 7 when Mansfield fans last cheered a competitive win, a 2-1 success over at Northampton Town.

Since then 245 days, one manager and the first lockdown have come and gone.

But Cooper was only thinking of the positives as the final whistle blew.

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"I'm absolutely delighted. I'm so happy for the players," he said.

"For me, personally, it was about them today. It was nice to finally get a result over the line.

"We came close in the two league games but what a place to go and do it - the Stadium of Light. We're in the second round of the FA Cup."

With Nigel Clough - who was in attendance today - set to take on the managerial role, Cooper returns to the academy confident the Stags squad have what it takes to turn their League Two fortunes around.

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"There's good players in the dressing room," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"It was just my job - and the rest of the academy staff who have joined me - to get those players back up. Trying to get them upbeat and some confidence and self belief.

"Some of the football played over the three games is something to be proud of, but it was nice to have the gaffer with me as well from the stands.

"At half time he popped in. He was there to meet the players at full time. It was a real team effort. Its a great victory for us."