Nigel Clough delivers his verdict as Mansfield Town scrape past Dagenham and Redbridge in FA Cup
Stags squeezed past the National League side 2-1 after Nicky Maynard scored in extra-time stoppage time.
Mansfield had fallen behind to Paul McCallum’s 19th minute goal.
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Hide AdBut Harry Charsley drew the hosts level six minutes later, before Maynard, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, popped up in the 122 minute to slot home from close range.
“We want to use the win as the spur and incentive to kick on in the league,” said Clough.
“When we reflect on the performance, that is the most we have controlled the game and the most we have played with a purpose to create chances.
“You just want people to keep going and Jordan Bowery is a perfect example. He is not having the best of time in front of goal but he kept going and it was his shot that created the rebound for Nicky to tap in.
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Hide Ad“It’s important that the lads keep going right to the death and I hope it will do us good confidence wise.
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter how you win, it is just important to win. Every win is a big win.”
Clough also praised the Londoners for taking Mansfield the distance, but felt Stags fully deserved their place in the third round draw.
“We deserved to win it, the fact we scored in the 122nd minute is largely irrelevant,” he added.
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Hide Ad“Our general play was very good and we created enough chances to win two or three games. It is frustrating we didnt take our chances sooner.
“Dagehnam made it very hard. We knew what they would do and we know how tough Conference teams are and I thought they were a very good outfit.
“They had a great chance on 90 minutes and the lad headed it over, you need those little breaks to get through.
“We don't mind who we get in the next round, We either want a big boy away to make money or one down here, but with no crowds it changes the perspective.”
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