Nigel Clough relieved to achieve safety target at last

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough achieved his aim for the season of keeping Stags in the Football League at last with tonight's one-sided 3-0 home victory over Scunthorpe United.
Nigel Clough, manager of Mansfield Town.Nigel Clough, manager of Mansfield Town.
Nigel Clough, manager of Mansfield Town.

But he won't be cracking open any champagne,

“It is only cause for a minor celebration as it's not the extent of our aspirations or ambition,” he said.

“But it's nice to do it with three games to go and we're not sweating going into the final two weeks of the season.

“I think you saw that belief from the players tonight. We controlled it from start to finish which was brilliant.

“The only disappointing thing was it was only 1-0 for so long. We could have scored five or six tonight.

“Perchy (James Perch) scored one and made two tonight. He was exceptionally good and he's enjoying it.

“It was a good, solid team, job. Everyone played well and did their jobs.

“The confidence and relief from Saturday's result saw us go out and enjoy it tonight.”

When Clough came into the club in November Stags were struggling and his first target was survival.

“I feel relieved we've got the job, but it shouldn't have taken this long,” he said.

“We had a five game winning run but I think the break in playing games really broke our momentum.

“But you have to survive to be able to build for next season.

“It was important we lost so few games, though we didn't win enough but we should have done.”

Stags now have three games left, starting at Salford City on Saturday and Clough added: “Hopefully we can have a look at two or three of the younger lads and have a look at Jamie Pardington in goal.

“But we won't throw those last three games away – we want to win.”