McGuire says sorry to Stags fans after Cheltenham flop

Stags’ seven game unbeaten run – and play-off hopes – were ended in disappointing fashion and the midfielder said: “I am not going to make any excuses, it was poor all round – simple as that. I apologise to the fans.

“We have had games like that this year when we haven’t played well, but you have to then see them out and we didn’t do that on Monday.

“We still had a chance of the play-offs and York were playing Bury. It was a big chance and you just never know in football. Anything can happen.

“We went out there with the mindset to win the game but we never performed. The players were gutted after the game.

“Now we want to try to put it right against Torquay in front of our home fans on Saturday.

“Torquay are fighting for their lives, but we have a massive say in it. They are not going to lie down. But we want to finish on a high with two wins to finish as high in the table as we can.

“Players here are fighting for a contract for next season.

“Since Rochdale away at Christmas we have been on a good run, got away from relegation and put ourselves in with a chance of the play-offs. Now we want to finish on a high and put on a show for the fans.”

McGuire, who is one of many Stags players out of contract this summer, knows there will be plenty of ins and outs on the playing staff as manager Paul Cox makes a renewed bid for the play-offs next season.

“I am envious of the top three and those in the play-offs,” he said. “I want to be there, every player does. You want to be on Sky Sports and playing in those big games.

“There are going to be changes of course this summer, there is at every clubs. That’s to be expected.

“We certainly need another goalscorer. Someone who is paid to put the ball in the back of the net and changes games for you.

“I play with my heart and I would love to stay here. But it is out of my hands, the same as the rest of the players who are out of contract.”