Mansfield Town players hurting after late collapse against Carlisle United admits two-goal hero Nicky Maynard

“We put ourselves in a great position to come away with the three points then threw away a two goal lead,” he said.

“The lads are obviously hurting but we have to dust ourselves off and go again to put things right at Morecambe. We've not lost so we need to take the positives away.”

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The match was dominated by strong wind, which also helped United's first reply into the net against the run of play, and Maynard said: “We knew before the game whoever was shooting with the wind would have the majority of the ball, which was Carlisle first half.

“I thought we did well to keep clean sheet coming in at half-time. We knew the tables would turn and I think that's what happened.

“For the first half hour of the second half we dominated and created chances and got ourselves into a two-goal lead.”

Carlisle's first reply was a wind-assisted cross that flew in on 81 minutes and the second from a 93rd minute free kick.

“Their first goal was one of those freak goals that never looked lie coming. That gave them a bit of hope,” said Maynard.

“Then we gave away a silly foul in the dying minutes which we say 'don't do that' but we do time and time again. We get punished for them and we got punished again today.

“We should take the ball into a corner and waste time to see the game out.”

Both Maynard's strikes on 58 and 72 minutes were from the edge of the box and he smiled: “I've not scored many from 16-18 yards out, most of them have been in the six yard box.

“They were nice goals and it was good to get into a two-goal lead. We are now punching ourselves that we threw that away.”

The brace took him to 15 for the season, but he believes he should have scored more.

“There have been a few chances which, for me, were a dead cert to be a goal and I have not scored,” he said.

“I am never pleased. My games to goals ratio is okay but I don't think you should ever be pleased with your work – you should strive to do better.

“I won't rest on this. I am hungry to score more which will hopefully get us more three points.”

Maynard and Krystian Pearce were Stags' two best players today and the striker said: “The 'Chief' was outstanding today and I think he will be hurting more than most. He was putting his body on the line.”

Today’s draw left Stags down in 21st place, nine points clear of bottom-placed Stevenage with another important game against fellow strugglers away at Morecambe next Saturday.