Nigel Clough: Mansfield Town 'couldn't have tried any harder' as disallowed Michael Smith goal gives Bradford all three points

Stags had a goal chalked off for the second game in a row on Saturday as they fell to a slim 1-0 defeat to Bradford City on the road.

Antoni Sarcevic was the only goal-scorer of the afternoon, taking the Bantams up to fourth in the League One table. Harry Lewis put in a strong performance in goal against his former side after he took Liam Roberts’ placed between the sticks.

Roberts had initially been down to start but he was withdrawn during the warm-up due to an ongoing foot injury not feeling right.

Nigel Clough said the No.1 ‘wanted to give it a go’ after requiring stitches following the Luton Town clash, but Saturday came ‘a week too early’ for him.

“He’s that good that it’s worth trying it but he didn’t feel comfortable in the warm-up. But it’s not a problem, we can just put Harry in and he played exceptionally well today,” the manager said post-match.

Clough was frustrated with the outcome of the match, as Michael Smith saw his goal disallowed in the second half. The decision was made after fourth official Conor Ledgeway took over at half-time when referee Zac Kennard-Kettle was forced off the pitch injured.

“The first thing is we cannot try any harder than we did today, every player gave everything. It was the second game running we had a goal disallowed for no reason, we think, whatsoever,” Clough said.

“The referee actually gave the goal, the linesman started running up the touchline and then changed his mind and gave a foul. We just cannot believe it.

“The first choice referee started limping after about 10 minutes. He came over and had some treatment and then we continued. Then there were some changes made at half-time and no notification to either team or manager that the referee was changing.

“I think it’s such a poor indictment on Mike Jones and his organisation that when the first choice referee is out injured, the lad came on and is next in line to referee. If that’s the best they can do then I don’t know what they are doing. He’s come on in such an important game today and I’ve never seen him before in my life.

“I don’t think he’s ever refereed a game at this level. I just felt very sorry for him to be put in that position. But the blame lies with Mike Jones and his organisation, nobody else.”

Clough feels Smith’s goal could have really put Stags back into the game and potentially sparked a full comeback at Mbanq Valley Parade. Mansfield also saw a goal ruled out midweek when George Maris’ attempt against Reading did not stand either.

“We could have gone away with a point quite easily today and I think if we’d have got one – if Michael Smith’s goal was given as it initially was – we might’ve gotten a winner,” Clough said.

Mansfield Town will have some time to reflect next week as they are not due back in action until Saturday, when they face Huddersfield at the One Call Stadium.