Jordan Bowery says Nigel Clough made it perfectly clear what the mission statement was against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday.

Mansfield Town came away from the Brick Community Stadium with a point in the bag after a stalemate result.

Neither side allowed their opponents a way in and settled for a 0-0 draw, which extends Stags’ unbeaten League One form away from home to four games.

Mansfield had some opportunities to sneak into the lead as Michael Smith and George Maris both came close but a point was all they could squeeze from a Wigan side desperate to climb out of the bottom four.

Mansfield Town defender Jordan Bowery during the Sky Bet League 1 match against Wigan Athletic FC at The Brick Community Stadium, 03 Nov 2026, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

placeholder image — Mansfield Town defender Jordan Bowery during the Sky Bet League 1 match against Wigan Athletic FC at The Brick Community Stadium, 03 Nov 2026, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

Clough stressed the aim of the night was simple – not to lose. Stags entered the clash following a disappointing defeat to Notts County and the manager was determined not to allow the result to trigger a downward spiral.

Bowery, who is back in regular contention for Mansfield Town after returning for injury, reflected on the Wigan result and Clough’s instructions to the players.

“At the end of the day, it’s a good point after the defeat on Saturday,” Bowery said post-match. “Obviously no one was pleased about that and the gaffer came out and said we have to change that.

“He said in the changing room, we don’t go back-to-back, we don’t do two defeats in a row.

“We could have nicked it, George had a good chance. But the main thing is we didn’t come out of here with nothing. We came out with a point, so that’s a positive.”

Stags have lost just once in their last eight games and have shown their threat against the likes of Luton Town, AFC Wimbledon and Blackpool this season. The Notts County defeat was a frustrating dip in form but the team are eager not to let losses become strings of habit.

“We always go out to win, that’s the aim. The gaffer is like that, he always wants us to try to win as many games as we can, get as many points on the board as we can,” Bowery continued. “But he says as a minimum, we come out with a point and we do not lose. And that’s what we did and fair play to everybody.

“It’s a massive pitch, the lads are knackered and we come away with our heads held high and with a point.”