We were second best all afternoon for the first time admits Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer after Mansfield Town mauling

Goals from Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard and Andy Cook shot them down a month after the 2-0 defeat at Bradford to register only Stags' third home league win of the campaign.

“Credit to Mansfield,” he said.

“We obviously watched them when we played them and we've watched them since then and we knew what they were going to be about.

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“We told the players that and prepared properly so they knew what to expect.

“But I think this is the first time I can say we were second best for the full 90 minutes. We have to accept that.

“We had a great early opportunity with Dylan (Connolly), but after that we were second best all over.

“There are no excuses today.

“I am shocked how they can go from producing what they did on Tuesday to that performance today.

“All three were ridiculous, soft goals. It's just not good enough.”

Despite being in the play-off places, Bradford fans chanted angrily against Bowyer during a fifth game without a win and he said: “I totally understand it.

“It's football and I am responsible for the picking of the team and the performances. Today I can't say anything other than an apology for the way we performed.

“So the anger and frustration we're feeling, we have a chance to go and put that right on Tuesday.”