Mansfield Town’s latest defeat to Bradford City brought a lot of frustration and Nigel Clough was not happy with a major officiating decision made halfway through the match.

The Stags boss has called out Mike Jones of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after fourth official Conor Ledgeway took charge of the second half of their clash at Valley Parade on Saturday.

Zac Kennard-Kettle had been named as the referee for the fixture but he was forced off the pitch injured and replaced by Ledgeway after the break.

Clough said after the match that neither he nor Bradford manager Graham Alexander had been notified of the change in personnel at the time.

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough during the Sky Bet League 1 match against Bradford City AFC at the Mbanq Valley Parade, 05 Sept 2026, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

placeholder image — Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough during the Sky Bet League 1 match against Bradford City AFC at the Mbanq Valley Parade, 05 Sept 2026, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

Ledgeway then found himself caught up in a hugely divisive moment after chalking off Michael Smith’s equaliser just before the 70-minute mark.

Smith had headed the ball into the net but was deemed to have fouled goalkeeper Jon McCracken in the process.

Clough, who is still scratching his head over the turn of events, unpacked what went on with Smith’s disallowed goal and his thoughts following it.

“The referee didn’t disallow it immediately. The assistant ran up the touchline as if a goal had been given. We’re going to ask for the comms – which we can do if there’s a major decision, to see what they’re all saying,” the Stags boss said during his mid-week press conference.

“Having seen the goal, I said to the assistant that he ran up the touchline and he said he didn’t. We’ve got it on video.

“The referee didn’t disallow it, that was the problem. Everyone was celebrating and I think it must have taken several seconds before he eventually blew his whistle and gave a free-kick. So we’re not sure why there was a delay.

“If it was an obvious free-kick, why didn’t you blow straight away and disallow the goal? That’s two in two games now – George Maris’ was a goal at Reading – and they’re having a big impact on games.”

Clough revealed he spoke to Ledgeway after the match and learned the Stags vs Bradford match was his first time refereeing in League One.

“The other thing was, I felt really sorry for the referee who came on after half-time. I asked him afterwards how many League One games he’d had, he said none. I asked how many League Two games have you refereed? He said none.

“The referees’ association and Mike Jones… to put the young lad in that position where he’s had to come on in front of over 20,000 people, having never refereed a league game. I think that is incredibly poor to put him in that situation and I really felt for him. Unfortunately, some of his decisions reflected that inexperience.”