Nigel Clough so proud of players and fans after FA Cup giantkilling glory at Sheffield United
Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough was proud of both players and fans as the Stags secured a famous FA Cup giantkilling with a 4-3 away win in the FA Cup third round at in-form Championship side Sheffield United today.
A Louis Reed double against his old club either side of a Gus Hamer reply, and goals by Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates had Stags 4-1 up before they held off a fightback from the Blades as Clough enjoyed a winning return to his old club in front of 4,800 ecstatic Mansfield supporters.
“It was an all-round brilliant day for everybody, every single supporter and another great memory for them,” he said.
“This is the first time in 55 years the club has beaten a side from the top two divisions in the FA Cup.
“That means an awful lot. We've had some good moments in the last five years and this is right up there with them
“The support was incredible again. Getting results at places like this makes us proud and hopefully makes the fans proud as we are certainly proud of every one of them.
“It was an incredible victory on the back of the three we had over Christmas.
“We had a little break with the game off at Rotherham, so it was pleasing to come here and pick it up the way we did.
“We have not been able to train due to the weather, but once again the lads gave absolutely everything. To a man, everybody, including the subs, did their jobs.”
On the goals, he said: “We scored four brilliant goals.
“Reedy's strikes from the edge of the box were very controlled – he didn't try to hit it too hard and he hit the target.
“We are all delighted with him being an ex player here. I can remember him at 16/17 making his debut here in our time here.
“So it's lovely for him to come back and get a couple of goals.
“I thought the team goal for Lucas' was brilliant and then Rhys Oates, who was a threat all day, scored the fourth. They were all excellent goals and Rhys was magnificent from the first minute.”
But Blades quickly netted two goals in four minutes through Patrick Bamford and a Nathan Moriah-Welsh own goal and Clough said: “The only thing we're not happy with is the two goals we conceded at 4-1.
“We needed to settle down for 5-10 minutes and not give anything away.
“But Deji (Oshilaja) gave a cheap free kick away that led to the corner and a scrappy goal had them back in it. We should have made them work harder for their goals.
“Then the own goal was a bit unfortunate, but that happens.
“Their tails were up and the quality of the subs they can bring on like Patrick Bamford meant it was going to be a tough half hour.
“So the most pleasing thing today was the way we played after that point, with 30-odd minutes to go including added time. We were quite composed and a threat still.
“Once again the character of the squad has got us there.
“If any particular department or individual does not do their job today then you don't get the result as they are too good.
“They are a very good Championship side with aspirations to challenge the top six, which I think they may well do.
“But we are in good nick at the moment and pleased we're getting some players back and we have the three new lads in.
“I think the experience of being in and around it for the new lads will give them a really good idea of what we are about as a team and a club.”
Stags are now in tomorrow's fourth round draw and Clough said: “As always we'd like a nice kind one at home or one of the biggies away.”