Late goals and hectic schedule proving costly for Mansfield Town

Stags – who have been pegged back 11 times from winning positions this season – ready for 13th game in six weeks...
James Tilley scores in stoppage time to sink the Stags. Picture by Jamie EvansJames Tilley scores in stoppage time to sink the Stags. Picture by Jamie Evans
James Tilley scores in stoppage time to sink the Stags. Picture by Jamie Evans

Nigel Clough believes Mansfield Town's hectic schedule has taken its toll on the squad.

Tomorrow's clash with Forest Green Rovers will be the Stags' 13th match in the six-week period since February 9.

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With a series of injuries in the camp, it has been a testing time for Clough's men, who have been caught out by a number of late goals in recent weeks.

Mansfield have been playing catch up following a number of postponements in January and February, where the 1-0 victory at Southend was the side's only match in a 25-day period.

"In January it was that break that did us," Clough said.

"Nobody could envisage us having such a long break with the games being off.

"We've still got enough bodies, but Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday Tuesday is catching up with the players."

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Saturday's 2-2 draw with basement side Grimsby Town was the Mariners draw level with a stoppage-time free kick.

Mansfield have dropped points from winning positions in 10 league matches this season and also seen an early lead cancelled out when they exited the FA Cup at Cheltenham.

Grimsby's equaliser was one of nine goals scored in the final 10 minutes of play that have cost the Stags League Two points this term.

Three of those goals may have come before Clough took on duties at the club, but the Town boss has spotted a pattern.

"We've got to get up the pitch," he added.

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"It wasn't the case at Crawley last week as that was just out of nothing.

"But generally when we're defending leads, when we can, get up the other end and spend some time in the opposition half, that's the best way to deal with it."

The Stags have seen winning positions taken away from them in 11 matches this season.

Two-nil leads against Leyton Orient and Bolton Wanderers ended in a draw and defeat respectiveley, while 1-0 leads against Exeter City and Newport County both resulted in defeats.

It was the same story in the FA Cup at Cheltenham Town.

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Against Walsall, Bolton, Colchester United (home and away) and Grimsby Town one-goal leads resulted in draws.

The Stags also led 1-0 when they hosted Crawley, but there was a different mood in the camp come full time on that occasion as Andy Cook's stoppage-time equaliser completed the fightback from 3-1 down.

However, the boot has often been on the other foot when it comes to conceding late goals.

Orient, Bolton, Colchester, Crawley and Grimsby have all scored after the 80-minute mark to rob Mansfield of points this season.

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Orient netted twice in a six-minute spell to force a draw while Bolton levelled at the death in the north west and scored two late goals at One Call Stadium to complete a 3-2 victory.

Colchester have also scored in the final minutes both home and away to claim two points.

MORE STAGS: Mansfield 2 Grimsby 2 – report