Nigel Clough vows Mansfield Town will ‘stay unbeaten as long as we can’

Stags frustrated their latest opponents Bradford City after Victor Adeboyejo’s first goal in amber and blue denied the promotion chasers a win on home turf.

The striker, who signed for the club in January from Bolton Wanderers, finally got the maiden goal he has patiently been waiting for. Thanks to his effort, Stags took an early lead over Bradford, who eventually settled for a draw after Tyreik Wright snatched an equaliser.

Adeboyejo turned home an assist from Ryan Sweeney, who returned to the starting line-up after coming back from injury. The captain was part of six major changes Nigel Clough made to his side as Stags navigate their busy schedule.

“With the home form that they’ve shown so far this season, they’re well in the play-offs, and to come here with the changes we’ve had to make and get a point, it’s as a good a point as we’ve had all season,” Clough told club media after the match as he reflected on the Bradford draw.

“We had a few getting their first start for a while so it was a night to use the squad. Sixth game in 18 days… we can’t keep putting those same lads out there all the time. Deji Oshilaja just about got through tonight but there’s a time for everyone to step in and help out.”

Nigel Clough praises Mansfield Town squad depth

Stags were without the likes of Louis Reed and Frazer Blake-Tracy at Valley Parade, while the likes of Regan Hendry and Jordan Bowery were handed starts. Clough also opted for four changes just before the hour mark to bring on fresh legs and rest the likes of Sweeney and Joe Gardner, who hadn’t played since November.

“We didn’t have much choice. Kyle Knoyle had been booked, Ryan Sweeney was absolutely gone with his calves cramping up. Regan Hendry has not played much, so we moved Nathan Moriah-Welsh inside, and Joe Gardner hasn’t played for a long time, so it was going to be an hour maximum for him. It was a very close one to play him or Oliver Irow but we just thought Joe has been doing quite well in training and just as a bit of a one-off, let’s see what he can do.

“It just shows the strength of the squad. We’ve still got Luke Bolton out, Tyler Roberts, Baily Cargill, George Maris… even without all those sorts of players, we managed to get another very valuable point. Out of the last six games, we’ve lost one and that’s Arsenal. Four draws – we don’t mind the draws – and one win. It’s been a brilliant run and we’ll stay unbeaten as long as we can.”

Victor Adeboyejo scores first goal for Mansfield Town

Adeboyejo was delighted to score his first goal for Stags in what was another important point picked up in these latter stages of the league season. The draw puts Mansfield Town on 46 points ahead of their home clash with relegation candidates Northampton Town on Saturday.

“It was good play down the right-hand side and Sweens with a lovely assist into my path for me to just tap it in,” Adeboyejo told the club. “I was very, very happy. It’s been a long time coming, being out for so long with injury and then coming back and playing games and waiting for that moment to get my first goal. It’s very important and I’m very happy to get it today.”

Clough also hailed Adeboyejo’s moment in the spotlight: “Absolutely brilliant. If there was anyone who needed a goal in the last few weeks, it was Victor. We had a little chat yesterday and he asked ‘how am I doing?’ and I said, ‘you’re doing well, you just need a goal for yourself’. We’re happy with his form and he’s got through 90 minutes tonight and I thought he played very well.”