Former Mansfield Town Paul Cox hopes history can repeat itself after missing out on promotion
The 50-year-old – who led the Stags to the Conference title in 2013– was aiming to win his fourth promotion as manager with Boston United at the weekend.
But the Pilgrims slipped to a 2-0 defeat at National League North York City on Saturday Lenell John-Lewis and Maz Kouhyar on target.
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Hide AdCox has regularly referenced his title-winning campaign with the Stags this season, when the club’s superb second half to the campaign saw them win 20 of their 24 matches to move up from mid-table to the top of the pile.
And Boston took note, finishing with a flourish to secure seventh spot on the final day of the season before play-off wins at Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Fylde.
"It's tough. The worst game you can lose, a final," Cox said after the final whistle had blown at the LNER Community Stadium.
"It's mixed emotions. We did so well at Kidderminster and Fylde, but I don't think the performance levels were that today."
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Hide AdCox, who also won two promotions with Eastwood Town, will be hoping history can repeat itself as it was York who beat the Stags in the play-offs the year before their title win.
"I'll never celebrate finishing second or losing," Cox added.
"But I think we've put a good mindset in place.
"It's a horrible place when you lose a game like this, I don't want that again. I want to make us more consistent, fitter and stronger."