"We bounce back well!" Nigel Clough impressed by Mansfield Town's resilience

Nigel Clough believes his Mansfield Town side have shown him some important resilience this season.

The Stags boss has been pleased with his side's ability to bounce back from defeats, even if he wished they didn't have to do it quite so often.

Mansfield's first three defeats under Clough saw the side respond with two victories and a draw.

It has only been over the past couple of months that the manager has tasted back-to-back defeats.

First came the three consecutive losses, the last heartbreak against Bolton Wanderers followed by a comprehensive defeat to highflying Cambridge United and a 1-0 reverse at Harrogate Town.

But a victory over promotion-chasing Morecambe put those ghosts to rest.

However, that win was followed by defeats to Bradford City and Barrow, which saw the side respond with the 3-1 drubbing of League Two leaders Cheltenham Town.

The Stags looked set for a point at Crawley at the weekend before James Tilley's stoppage-time winner.

Clough admits that result still stings, but was pleased that didn't affect his players as they came from behind to draw with Carlisle United on Tuesday.

"We were so devastated and demoralised on Saturday after losing to Crawley," Clough said.

"We bounce back well. I wish we didn't have to bounce back and if we'd have got a point at Crawley on Saturday then all of a sudden you're going into a three game unbeaten run.

"That last 30 seconds will get to us for a while."

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