Nigel Clough urges introduction of goal-line technology after loss at Walsall

Posted Sunday, February 18, 2024 by PA

Fuming Mansfield boss Nigel Clough says goal-line technology must be introduced into the English Football League after his Stags missed the chance to go top of Sky Bet League Two by losing 2-1 at Walsall.

Mansfield were convinced Aden Flint’s first-half effort crossed the line but the goal was not given – and Clough’s men lost out in a roller coaster second half.

They should have been out of sight – but Will Swan spurned three golden chances.

However, it was the Flint controversy that irked Clough, who said: “We should have goal-line technology at this level. I thought the assistant was probably unsighted with a defender in the way.

“But this is what everyone is fighting for because the Premier League want to keep 85% of the TV money instead of 75-25%, which would mean we could then get that sort of thing introduced.

“I would have thought with the money in football they could provide watches for the officials so when the ball goes over the line everyone knows.”

Clough admitted, however, his side should have made their chances count, following up Tuesday’s club-record 9-2 win over Harrogate with a profligate display in front of goal.

“Certainly those six chances we missed in the first half were as big as anything,” he added.

“I would argue we created better chances in the first half than on Tuesday but didn’t take any of them.

“The performance was fine, just the crucial things of putting the ball in the back of the net and keeping it out at the other end.”

Mansfield remain a point behind leaders Stockport after Isaac Hutchinson deliveries set up headers for Jamille Matt and Football League debutant Emmanuel Adegboyega, who is on loan from Norwich.

Stephen Quinn briefly pulled the Stags level after Matt’s opener, but Walsall earned a first league win since New Year’s Day.

“We got that little bit of luck at the right moments, which I think we earned in the end,” said boss Mat Sadler, whose side remain 16th, but have beaten all of the division’s top four at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

“I thought for the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, we were very, very good, really high-energy, really front-footed and it turned into a really good game for the fans to watch.

“I feel really proud of the lads – most importantly, the hard work they put in. We’ve given everything for the shirt and that’s what this group does. Now we have to back it up.

“I think we are the only team in the division to do that this season [beat the top four].

“We’re a good team but a young team, and results like tonight only adds another yardstick on to where we want to get to and where we want to be.”