Nigel Clough stresses importance of Mansfield’s win over Forest Green in run-in

Nigel Clough said Mansfield’s hard-earned 1-0 home win over bottom club Forest Green was one of the most important results of their season as they leapt back into the top three.

Tom Nichols’ 20th-minute header earned stuttering Stags a first win in four games to reignite their promotion dream, despite their injury problems, and wiped away memories of Saturday’s home hammering by Crawley.

“It was one of the most important results of the season, especially with seven defenders out at the start of the game,” said Clough.

“To keep a clean sheet with two centre forwards in the back four was a tremendous effort by everybody.

“Saturday was a one-off and bad timing to have it at this particular stage of the season, but everybody was back on it tonight. The intensity was magnificent.

“It was a reaction to Saturday when we were all hurting after the game.”

Rovers defended well but Nichols broke the deadlock when he was picked out at the back post by Hiram Boateng’s cross and managed to loop a header over goalkeeper Vicente Reyes.

For much of the game it was all Mansfield, but home keeper Christy Pym did have to claw a Charlie McCann free-kick from under his crossbar just before half-time and just before the end made a great double save to deny Emmanuel Osadebe and Kyle McAllister after a Rovers break.

“You’re always worried at 1-0 and Christy Pym has had to come up with two magnificent saves,” said Clough.

“I think it’s the most difficult thing for a goalie when you have had nothing or very little to do for 88 minutes.”

Rovers boss Steve Cotterill was delighted with his side’s showing, despite a fifth defeat in six outings.

“I thought we were excellent tonight against a team that are probably going to be up there and get promoted,” he said.

“We definitely played well enough to get at the minimum a draw tonight.

“The season has been tough. But, given the start with this group of lads, I think they’ve come a long way in a short space of time and were excellent tonight.

“We wouldn’t have been able to come here and do this tonight a couple months ago when we got beaten 4-0 at home by them.

“There was no chance of that happening tonight.”

On the goal, Cotterill added: “I think Vinny was done by the flight of the ball. I don’t know if the wind has played a little part in that, slowed it up in the air and he’s not quite taken it.

“But at the end of the day Vinnie’s been magnificent for us and he’s won us games this season, and between now and the end of the season he’ll do the same again.”