Nigel Clough: Staying in League One is bigger than last year’s promotion

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2025 by PA

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough believes staying in League One has been a bigger achievement than gaining promotion 12 months ago after the Stags ended the campaign with a 3-0 home win over Exeter.

Reece Cole hit the post for the visitors inside 30 seconds, and Mansfield responded to the let-off with goals from Stephen McLaughlin, Dom Dwyer and Ben Waine.

“This week has been a brilliant end to the season with two home games, seven goals and six points,” Clough said.

“It sends everyone into the summer in good spirits with a smile on their faces which is very important.

“After a rough three or four months I think we deserve these two wins. It was a very even game and I think we have had more luck in the last two games than we’ve had in the previous 20.

“I think the opposition have hit the woodwork four times in the two games and had good opportunities. We needed some of these breaks earlier in the season after Christmas.

“It has been a bigger achievement than promotion 12 months ago to stay in this league. And to get 54 points at this level with the problems we have had, especially with injuries, I think it is a much better achievement than 12 months ago.”

Exeter hit the woodwork again through Cole as the clock ticked down and manager Gary Caldwell admitted it was a frustrating watch.

“That game probably summed up our season,” he said.

“We started well, had numerous chances, couldn’t score and gave away two really bad goals. Second half was very similar, so many opportunities but we don’t score.

“If we’d have scored at 2-0 it would have been game on. Instead we shot ourselves in the foot late on as Mansfield made it three.

“We are bottom of the league for shots on target and that has to improve next season.

“It was a really disappointing end to the season, but it doesn’t take away from the season as a whole where we have really had to dig in as a football club from January to get the points on the board and guarantee a fourth season in League One, which is a big achievement.

“But the players have to improve and get better and it’s my responsibility as the manager to force that on players and make it happen next year.

“If the players want to improve and work hard, I will look forward to seeing them for next season.”