'Disastrous & devastating' - Nigel Clough reacts to Shrewsbury's comeback against Mansfield
Mansfield boss Nigel Clough described his side's defeat against Shrewsbury as 'disastrous'.
The Stags came into the match on the back of four straight defeats in all competitions.
But they looked set to right that wrong at the Croud Meadow on Saturday when they went in at half-time with a goal and man advantage after Toto Nsiala's red card.
But Clough's shell-shocked side looked devoid of confidence as they surrendered their lead and went on to lose 2-1 to Salop - who moved off the bottom of the League One table.
Reflecting on the match, Mansfield boss Clough said: “The result is absolutely disastrous and devastating, going 1-0 up at half-time. It’s an absolutely disastrous result in any run, but especially in this current one.
“We gave away some incredibly poor goals first and foremost, and we didn’t play with enough intent.
“I have been to Shrewsbury a few times recently, and I have seen them beat Birmingham on TV, and I saw the spirit they have got when they get a goal back.
“I saw them beat Wrexham a couple of weeks ago, and when they get their tales up, and we gave them a little bit of encouragement as we did through some incredibly poor play.
“The message went on when they went down to 10 men to do everything you can to go and get a second goal before half-time - that was the message to the players.
“When you get into the position that we are in, it was an incredibly good opportunity to break that losing run even with a draw, but you don’t lose the game in the circumstances.”
