Wigan Athletic a 'far superior team than us', insists Mansfield Town chief

The Stags cemented fourth spot in the League One table thanks to a hard-earned victory at the Brick Community Stadium.

Will Evans gave Mansfield the lead in the first half after taking advantage of a bad mistake from Baba Adeeko.

He advanced to 25 yards from goal before firing an unstoppable strike into the top corner past a despairing Sam Tickle.

Thelo Aasgaard equalised for Latics eight minutes after the restart, with a rocket finish after good work down the left from substitute Michael Olakigbe, Steven Sessegnon and Tyrese Francois, and the home side looked set to go on and win the game.

However, Keanu Baccus put Mansfield back in front nine minutes later with a tidy finish from a set-piece routine, and that was how it stayed despite Wigan having the majority of the ball and the chances.

"It was a tough, tough night," acknowledged Clough. "Football wise, Wigan were a far superior side to us, apart from the quality of the goals we scored.

"And the work rate and the endeavour and the desire we showed, after losing (to Stevenage) on Saturday, has got us the three points.

"Some of the lads were dead on their feet at the end, but they managed to do what we asked of them.

"We needed fresh legs tonight, that's why I made so many changes from Saturday, and we actually picked this team last Friday.

"We knew it was going to be a big pitch, against a good side, and we knew the players we needed for this game.

"When you're facing a team as good on the ball as Wigan, when you do get an opportunity, you have to take it.

"We nicked a couple of goals, we gave the ball away too much, but we're delighted to come away with all three points.

“After they equalised I thought our reaction was brilliant and we took the game to them again and got the goal."