"A game-changing mistake!" Mansfield Town denied 'stonewall' penalty at Exeter City, says Nigel Clough

Stags boss Nigel Clough. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Nigel Clough was adamant Mansfield Town should have been given a penalty in their goalless draw at Exeter City - labelling referee Carl; Brook's decision a 'game changing mistake'.

When Tyrese Sinclair went down in the Grecians' penalty area the Stags boss was left waiting for the man in the middle to point to the spot.

That gesture never arrived, which Clough called a 'staggering decision'.

"We created enough situations and chances again, but I have to say the outstanding one of the game was when we should have had a penalty," Clough told iFollow Stags after the 0-0 draw.

"It was absolutely stonewall. I looked straight away at their dug-out, they were waiting for it to be given.

"Their players were, and then the referee compounded it by booking Tyrese for diving.

"It was a staggering decision, it really was.

"He got clear beyond the back four and got clipped from behind. Even the lad said to Ty he got away with one.

"I can't believe what he saw or what he gave. It's a result-changing mistake by the official."

While frustrated at the decision not to award a spot kick, Clough praised his side for holding Exeter to a goalless stalemate - bouncing back from Good Friday's defeat to Leyton Orient.

"I thought we were brilliant from start to finish, we created situations and chances all through the game. Not many clear cut, but enough situations.

"And we restricted them to, I think Stoney's (Aidan Stone) had the one save. They're the top scorers in the league and Aidan Stone hardly touched the ball second half.

"On the back of Friday, when we made mistakes, it was important we didn't make mistakes today, and the changes we made have reflected that.

"We needed a good, solid away performance and that was it today.

"We have a phrase: 'no mistakes, no chances'. Don't take chances as that leads to mistakes, and we didn’t do that."

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