‘Doing daft things’ is costing Mansfield Town, says boss Graham Coughlan

Again, the Stags gave their manager some positives to work on, but again late goals proved costly.

“There were a lot of positives and things to take from the game, but all I’m seeing from this game is the result," Coughlan told iFollow Stags as his side still look for win number one of the season.

“Top of the agenda is winning a game of football – I firmly believe when we win a game it’ll give us masses of confidence.

“I’m not making excuses – we are making basic errors, and we are getting punished for every single decision.”

Stephen McLaughlin put Town in front but Scott Twine and Matt Dolan settled the contest in the hosts favour - with Dolan netting from the spot in the final throes after Rollin Menayese had been adjudged to have handled.

“We shouldn’t have been in that situation (when penalty was awarded),” Coughlan added.

“It’s another basic error, whether it’s a refereeing error or an individual error from us that’s cost the two goals.

“Until we eradicate those (errors), we can’t be talking about referees or performances – there are too many basic errors.

“We’re doing some daft things at vital times in games. We need to stop making basic errors. I don’t know whether it’s nerves or tension, or there is an expectation level at this football club that one or two players at this club find very demanding.

“It’s up to them as players to pick us up as a football club and react. I did see them react today, but we didn’t get the points, and that’s what we’re in the business for.”