Flitcroft says Mansfield Town let themselves down in Exeter defeat

Mansfield Town Manager David Flitcroft: Picture by Steve Flynn/AHPIX.com, Football: Sky Bet League Two match Tranmere Rovers -V- Mansfield Town at Prenton Park, Birkenhead, Merseyside, England copyright picture Howard Roe 07973 739229

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

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 and end Mansfield’s unbeaten start.

And Flitcroft could not hide his frustrations at his side’s lack of quality in key areas.

“Our quality and our drive was not there and we did not hurt Exeter like we have hurt other teams,” he said.

“We did not have the composure that we needed for ten minutes after they scored their goal.

“We have lost our unbeaten run and now we need to start again and make sure our work is right and we concentrate 100 per cent.

“The first goal was against the run of play and it rocked us. We did not hurt them enough before that goal.

“I am disappointed with a lot of aspects, our quality was not there like it has been and we let ourselves down today.

“We got in good wide positions but failed on our final ball and final pass.

“We changed it in the second half and got it forward more with more urgency and created more chances.

“We gave Danny Rose scraps when he came on. We did not cause enough problems like we have with other teams.

“Credit to Exeter, they are up there and are a really good team.”

The frustrated manager was also disappointed by his side’s work-rate and care of the football.

“We are down on work-rate collectively and individually and that is what disappoints me.

“We did not track runners at important moments, we wasted a lot of the ball in key areas and that is something we need to improve on. It is something we will improve.

“We got the ball wide really well in the first 20 minutes, but again that crossing opportunity and shooting opportunity was turned down.

“The fluidity of the attack was there but there was no punch or drive. You have got to work towards that and change the shape and tempo of attacks.”