Mansfield Town were beaten 2-0 at Southend United yesterday despite an improved performance.
The performance was a major improvement from the 4-1 home defeat to York City and left boss Adam Murray content.
Here’s how our Mansfield Town blogger Sam Binch rated the players.
Starting eleven
Pidgeley: 6 - Made a couple of decent saves, but at fault for the second goal. A couple of poor kicks and punched one cross which he should have caught.
Beevers: 6 - Lost his man for the first goal and a few poor crosses when in good positions.
Sutton: 7 - Did not put a foot wrong. Solid game. My MOTM.
Riley: 7 - Dealt with Corr pretty well in the air, much improved from recent weeks.
Elder: 6.5 - Defended well, but a few poor deliveries from good positions.
Ravenhill: 6.5 - Did ok, broke up play well on a few occasions.
Hawkridge: 7 - Good set piece deliveries and generally good in possession. Would like to see him be a bit braver when one on one with full-back.
Clements: 6 - At fault for the first goal. Shame really as that a side it was his best game in a while.
Heslop: 6 - Runs around a lot but rarely involved.
Lambe: 6 - Poor game. Had relatives/friends in the crowd. Perhaps tried to hard to impress.
Oliver: 6 - Very little service. One infuriating run where he went offside. Missed a good chance in the first, unlucky with a header in the second.
Subs
Bingham (Heslop 60): 6.5 - Very lively when he came on but missed a few chances. Did not deserve to be dropped and should start on Monday.
Rhead (Oliver 73): 7 - Played very well, two great flick ons and won a few knock downs from corners. Deserves a start.
Tafazolli (Beevers 90): Think he touched the ball once. No rating.