"We let it slip": Nigel Clough reflects on Mansfield Town's big missed opportunity to bury Oxford United
Mansfield Town secured another point at the One Call Stadium on Thursday to keep their unbeaten home run ticking over.
A 1-1 draw against Oxford United keeps Stags solid at home but they could have come away with so much more.
It was an evening of drama as Mansfield launched attack after attack on the former Championship side but couldn’t make more than one opportunity stick.
Mansfield looked up for the challenge in the first half and gave Oxford a lot to deal with as they caused all sorts of trouble in midfield and out wide.
The second half saw Aaron Ramsey’s side reduced to nine men, following two red cards inside eight minutes. Stags’ tails went up and they pushed hard for a winner but in the end, only Michael Smith’s effort hit the back of the net to cancel out Luka Lynch’s fine strike earlier in the evening.
Nigel Clough discussed his side’s performance after the match and reflected on the missed chances to dominate the score-line.
“We should have won the game. Forget about the red cards, I thought we really missed our opportunity tonight with all the situations and chances in the first half,” the boss told the media.
“We had 10 or 15 minutes against nine men so we should have created more, but the first half was where I think we let it slip.
“I couldn’t have asked for more from the players in the first half but it’s no good creating the chances unless someone is going to put one in. They’re good quality chances as well – we had the same against Bromley and Doncaster.
“I would say the only team we have put to the sword is Luton where we really converted. We went 3-0 up at half-time and it could have been that on Saturday and again tonight.”
The draw marked Clough’s 274th EFL match as manager of Mansfield Town, drawing him level with Ian Greaves’ historic record.