Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray backs loanee Sean Kavanagh after tough debut in Luton Town defeat

Kavanagh was out of position for the first goal and easily turned for the second as League Two proved an eye-opener for Fulham’s Northern Ireland U21 left back.

Click HERE to read the match report

Click HERE to read Adam Murray’s thoughts on the game

Murray had to bring in a left back at short notice late in the week after Notts County decided loanee Blair Adams could not return, and it was felt Kavanagh, who celebrated his 22nd birthday this week, fitted the bill.

Murray said: “Technically we knew Sean was excellent and at times today he got forward really well, and his deliveries were good.

“But we know taking someone out the Championship, particularly a young lad, they are always going to find the physical side a test.

“I think he got caught out a couple of times within that, but that’s a gamble you take.

“We can go out and sign 6ft 5ins players all over the pitch and whack it. But I’m not going to do that. I’ll stick to the way I want to play.

“We got punished today for Sean probably not being the most physical.”

Stags now prepare for a long haul to Morecambe on Tuesday night.