I want points not plaudits says angry Clough as Mansfield Town pay for missed chances​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Jimmy Jay-Morgan and Harry Leonard netted against the run of play in 13 second half minutes before George Abbott pulled one back near the end.

Home fans had clapped their side off for a superb display in an excellent game of football, Stags having 27 shots and 19 corners, but Clough said: “We want points, not plaudits.

“You could argue tonight was the best performance of the 10 games, but it means absolutely nothing to me when you don't win the game.

“I would rather take a 0-0 and have the moans and the grumbles and have another point on the board and another clean sheet.

“It is pointless playing as well as that and not getting anything from the game – what a waste of a performance.

“We should have been two or three ahead in the first half, but we weren't because of the wastefulness of the players out there and we should have scored five or six tonight. It is beyond frustrating.

“We are only six or seven points off relegation and I am only interested in earning points to stay in the league, nothing else.

“The two goals we gave away were bordering on criminal tonight.

“We conceded the first from our own corner and then Frazer Blake-Tracy gives a ridiculous ball inside that goes against everything we have been building in the last nine games.”

To compound Stags' misery they have now lost both left footed centre halves with Baily Cargill going off injured tonight following captain Ryan Sweeney's injury on Saturday.

“Baily is a hamstring and it's not looking too good,” said Clough.

“Sweens did his calf on Saturday and you are probably looking at six weeks for them both which is close to the end of the season.

“So it is a big, big blow for us. Injuries are suddenly adding up again and they are not short term ones.”

Stags must now lick their wounds and regroup before Saturday's big FA Cup fourth round tie at Premier League Burnley.