Alex MacDonald knows Mansfield Town paid the price for a lack of quality against Exeter City

Mansfield Town saw their unbeaten run ended after a 2-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Exeter City.

Dean Moxey gave the Grecians a half-time lead with a well taken curling finish from the edge of the box.

Nicky Law doubled the advantage just before the hour mark with a close range header.

Mansfield pulled a goal back five minutes after falling behind through Tyler Walker’s tap-in.

But City stood firm against some late pressure to pick up the win.

Exeter boss Matt Taylor on a big win for his sideDavid Flitcroft: We let ourselves downMatch gallery: Mansfield Town v Exeter CityFans gallery: Can you spot anyone you know?Maconald told the club’s official website: “The quality in the final third just wasn’t there.

“I think that’s the first time this season we can probably say that and ultimately that’s cost us.

“We had a shake when Jayden Stockley hit the post in the first-half and I don’t think we recovered from that until half-time.

“Overall we’re disappointed with the lack that quality in the final third.”

MacDonald also knows Stags need to raise their game for home matches.

“When teams come here, we’re a scalp for them and we have to raise our game because when others come here they certainly seem to do that,” he said.

“When teams are coming here it’s going to be tough because people raise their game 20 to 25 per cent and we’ve got to make sure that we match that.”

“The unbeaten run is gone now. The lads were upset and down about it in the changing room and rightly so, but we’re going to come in on Monday and work hard next week to start a new, and hopefully longer, unbeaten run.”