Mansfield Town deserved at least a point from Carlisle United clash, says Nigel Clough

It would have been a ‘travesty’ has Cumbrians claimed victory…
Stags boss Nigel Clough. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)Stags boss Nigel Clough. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Stags boss Nigel Clough. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Nigel Clough says it would have been a 'travesty' had his Mansfield Town side not taken anything from their draw with Carlisle United.

Stephen McLaughlin's 80th minute free kick secured a point at One Call Stadium, which pleased the Stags boss.

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"I thought it was a very, very good performance against a top-half side and we created far the better chances... and more chances," said Clough.

"We just didn't quite finish them.

"It would have been a travesty if we didn't get anything out of the game."

Offrande Zanzala put United ahead in the 66th minute after Jon Mellish's effort was deflected into his path.

"I think they've had two shots again," Clough added.

"The goal, a shot's deflected into their path eight yards out. I wish one would drop for us like that."

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The Stags, however, had to make their own luck, and McLaughlin was the player to step up, wrongfooting keeper Magnus Norman with his low dead ball effort.

"It was brilliant," Clough said.

"I've just been talking to him, sometimes I talk to the lads about when we used to play, with Stuart Pearce.

"Some of them look at you a bit blankly as they don't know him, but Stephen worked with him at Forest.

"We talked about not going over the wall sometimes, going for the open side and hitting the target.

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"That's what he's done and he says it's the fifth or sixth time he's scored like that."

Despite securing the point, Clough felt his side should have claimed more from the game.

He continued: "I thought we should've scored a couple of goals tonight with the situations we've had.

"We're creating chances now, which is good."

MORE STAGS: Mansfield 1 Carlisle 1 – report