Nigel Clough laments ‘worst’ half of football since he joined Mansfield Town

NAILSWORTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Mansfield manager Nigel Clough talks to the media after the Sky Bet League Two match between Forest Green Rovers and Mansfield Town at The New Lawn on November 14, 2020 in Nailsworth, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Nigel Clough labelled Mansfield Town's draw with Southend United 'a massive opportunity missed'.

Jordan Bowery cancelled out James Olayinka's opener, but the Stags boss felt his side were playing catch up following a below par opening 45 minutes.

“It was a massive opportunity missed to get three points and our first home win in the league,” he told iFollow Stags.

“We didn’t change the team as we haven’t had many performances that were below par – that was before the first 45 minutes today.

“That was by far the worst (half) we’ve had since we’ve been here and we were unbelievably disappointed.

“From what we’ve said to people who have been here before, that was the sort of first-half that would be seen earlier in the season, and for us, that is completely and utterly unacceptable.

“The second we played properly in the second-half and did our jobs properly, we were camped in their half and got the goal. We had situations to get two or three more.

“But we wasted 45 minutes of the game, and that’s what has cost us the three points today."

MORE STAGS: Town 1 Shripmers 1 – report