Nigel Clough fumes at his players after Mansfield collapse against Northampton

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough tore into his players as they were handed a “reality check” with a 2-1 defeat at Northampton.

Rhys Oates lashed the Stags ahead at Sixfields and they were good value for the lead at half-time as they looked to make it six unbeaten in League One.

But Jack Perkins levelled early in the second half before Tom Eaves secured victory for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 74th minute.

“There’s no way we should have lost that game,” said Clough.

“It’s a measure of where we are and maybe some players got a bit carried away. To not see that game out, or at least get a point from it, is extremely disturbing to be honest.

“We scored a magnificent goal but to then not create or score another one with some of the situations we found ourselves in was incredibly poor. The two goals we were conceded were also poor.

“There was a lack of thought and care. We talked about the game all week and did our preparations but we did different things to what we talked about, even straight from kick-off. I thought the first few minutes of the game were disgraceful.

“You’ve got a team that’s going to come at you and you get caught twice and give a corner away in the first 30 seconds. We stressed all week about not giving corners away and we give one away after 30 seconds and that set the tone for the game.

“Some of the decisions were very poor and I think it’s a bit of a reality check for us. We’re going to have a pretty rubbish 14 days now (with no game next weekend).”

Cobblers boss Kevin Nolan was delighted after his side bounced back to winning ways after a three-game losing run.

He said: “I thought we played fine in the first half if I’m honest and I said to the lads at half-time, if we keep playing like that and keep putting them under pressure, we’ll get our rewards.

“We made the sub at half-time, Kyle (Edwards) was unlucky to come off, but we put them under pressure and it was a real good response by my lads from last week.

“We changed formations and we adapted and I’m really pleased that the boys bounced back because last week was a really poor showing.

“There was a bit of anxiety and a few jitters, which is what happens when you go 1-0 down, but I’m proud of how they handled it.

“I was as calm as anything in the nine minutes of stoppage time because the crowd was brilliant and the lads were brilliant.

“There was a bit of a groan when nine minutes went up but these lads can go to 105 minutes if needed because we’ve done the work and I thought they saw it out wonderfully well.”