Nigel Clough 'disappointed' as Mansfield Town let winning positions slip against Grimsby Town

Nigel Clough was left 'disappointed' his Mansfield Town side couldn't hold on to their winning position as they drew 2-2 with Grimsby Town.

George Maris and Jason Law scored their first goals for the club as the Stags twice led at One Call Stadium.

But Lenell John-Lewis' header and George Williams' late free kick saw the Mariners leave with a point.

"I'm disappointed with the result having led twice in the game," Clough told iFollow Stags.

"Two set plays, we've conceded from.

"Performance-wise, I think we've had to scrap and battle. When you're playing the team in the position that they are, that's the sort of game its going to be. They turned it into that game.

"Generally, we dealt with the vast majority of things. The lad's scored a brilliant free kick and they've had a free header from a corner.

"When you get in the lead twice against bottom of the league you expect to win the game."

Clough belives his side should have made the most of an opening 45 minutes when they were on top.

He added: "We missed our opportunity in the first half to get more than one goal. Harry Charsley has had one early on where, if he squares it, it's a tap in for somebody in the six yard box.

"I didn’t feel too threatened from open play but from set plays it's a big strength of theirs."

Clough added that Ollie Sarkic has suffered a hamstring injury but expects goalscorer Law to recover from a few knocks picked up this afternoon.

"He's going to have to get used to it as when you're that sort of player, if he's around and got the ball at his feet, he's going to get a few whacks," Clough continued.

"He needs to toughen up and take a few whacks like he did again today."

Captain Ollie Clarke was rested.

Clough added: "It was an accumulation of the knocks he's had.

"He trained a bit on Wednesday morning and a little bit yesterday, but he doesn't feel anywhere near it at the moment."

MORE STAGS: Mansfield v Grimsby – report