Credit to nine-men Mansfield Town for their fightback says Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke

Stags had Krystian Pearce and Nicky Hunt sent off in a torrid second half as they chased a response to Jermaine Easter’s 16th minute opener, Easter then sent off in first half stoppage time.

The nine men pressed hard and bravely and looked to have been rewarded with a point with Ryan Tafazolli’s 81st minute leveller until Matty Taylor won it in the last of eight added minutes.

To read the match report click HERETo read Stags boss Adam Murray’s thoughts click HERE“Give Mansfield credit, they pressed us high up the pitch but we kept going and had a response when they equalised, which is key,” said Clarke.

“It was a great header by Matty (Taylor) and a great ball back by James Clarke for the winner.”

“It was a strange game. We were lacklustre from the first minute to the last if I am honest.

“It wasn’t the performance I was looking for, but it was certainly the result I wanted. Sometimes in this game you have got to win ugly.

“I had a moan at the players when we lost five games that we hadn’t lost by big margins and that we hadn’t won ugly. Today we did that, but we are certainly better than what we showed.

“When Mansfield went down to nine men it seemed as though we were waiting for them to equalise.

“It was a great strike for their goal, but we play our best when we have got a high tempo and have got the ball and are using it.

“We were lacklustre and sloppy at times, but credit to my players. I don’t want to come across too harsh, but I want to be honest as well. It was a scruffy three points and I am pleased with that.”