"We're not doing our job at set pieces!" Graham Coughlan frustrated by 'sloppy' goals as Mansfield Town are beaten by Exeter City

The Stags were beaten 2-1 as Exeter City fought back to take the spoils.

But Coughlan felt his side played their part in their own downfall as they failed to deal with balls into the box for both goals.

"It was bitterly disappointing," Coughlan told BBC Radio Nottingham following today’s 2-1 defeat at One Call Stadium.

"I'm not going to make excuses for the lads, we gave away and gifted Exeter two goals.

"We're not doing our jobs at set pieces and the size we have in our team, the size we have in our changing room, the men we have, the nouse we have, the experience we have - we shouldn't be giving goals away like that.

"To say we got beat on two set pieces is a cardinal sin to be honest.

"I think I'm well within my rights to ask a 6'2" goalkeeper and centre halves to start commanding their box. I dont think we commanded any part of the pitch today or any part of the game."

While the contest was played out in difficult conditions, Coughlan remained frustrated his side couldn't hold on to Rollin Menayese's opener to claim three points.

"Having gone 1-0 up it wasn't going to be a spectacle with the conditions, but we've got to use our heads, nullify the opposition and get through a bad day with three points," Coughlan added.

"The longer that goes on the more uptight and nervy the fans and people around will get.

"Look, it was a bad day at the office. It was rather naive and poor defending for their two goals.

"There's a lot to be worked on, to be done. If you're not going to play well, don't concede sloppy goals."

MATCH REPORT: Town 1 Exeter City 2 – match report