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.”
Charley Kendall’s extra-time header propelled Southend into the Vanarama National League semi-finals as they completed a stunning 4-3 comeback victory over Rochdale in their play-off eliminator.Devante Rodney opened the scoring for hosts Rochdale in the eighth minute at the Crown Oil Arena before Nathan Ralph levelled in the 22nd minute.Jay Bird fired Rochdale back in front before the break ...
Matty Godden’s late strike sent Charlton through to the League One play-off final after a 1-0 win over Wycombe.Godden scrambled the only goal over the two legs after 171 minutes of attritional football to secure a Wembley date against Leyton Orient on May 25.Boss Nathan Jones sunk to his knees as fans invaded the pitch in emotional scenes after the final whistle.Lloyd Jones had earlier misse...
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens hailed his team as outstanding after they survived a penalty shootout to reach the Sky Bet League One play-off final.The Londoners prevailed 4-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing semi-final with Stockport ended 3-3 on aggregate following a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park on Wednesday.Orient, who will now play Charlton or Wycombe at Wembley, are potentially ...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers criticised Aberdeen midfielder Pape Gueye for a “needless challenge” on Reo Hatate in the Hoops’ 5-1 victory.Johnny Kenny marked his full Celtic debut with his first goal for the club, heading home the fourth early in the second half at Pittodrie.Maik Nawrocki also headed his first goal with Yang Hyun-jun, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah also on target.K...
Barry Ferguson was left feeling emotional hearing Rangers fans signing his name at the end of the 3-1 William Hill Premiership win over Dundee United.The former Gers captain was installed as boss in February until the end of the season and, amid an impending takeover, it seems the club could go elsewhere for a permanent manager with Davide Ancelotti – son of Real Madrid head coach Carlo &nda...
Hibernian manager David Gray thanked the club’s board for sticking by him after his team secured third place in the William Hill Premiership with a 2-2 draw at St Mirren.First-half efforts from Martin Boyle and Mykola Kukharevych had Hibs in the ascendancy before Saints hit back to earn a point thanks to goals from Richard Taylor and Conor McMenamin.The draw, though, combined with Aberdeen&r...
Simo Valakari had no complaints after his dejected St Johnstone players learned their 16-year stay in the William Hill Premiership was over when they returned to the dressing room several minutes after their 2-1 defeat at Hearts.Despite losing at Tynecastle, Saints thought they were going to have one last crack at survival on Sunday as Ross County – the team immediately above them – we...
Dundee boss Tony Docherty left media duties to his assistant Stuart Taylor after “confusion and disbelief” following the controversial 1-1 draw with Ross County at Dens Park.Docherty, who has criticised several VAR calls this season, had been visibly furious after the Staggies were awarded a last-gasp penalty.Dundee were leading 1-0 thanks to a Scott Tiffoney goal and seemed on course ...
Kilmarnock assistant manager Paul Sheerin claimed boss Derek McInnes was in a “horrible situation” after being subjected to the anger of a number of visiting fans during a 3-0 defeat at Motherwell.Supporters sang anti-Hearts songs before moving on to more personal chants about McInnes after he confirmed both clubs had agreed a deal for him to move to Tynecastle.That switch is expected ...
Leyton Orient held their nerve in a penalty shootout to reach the League One play-off final after a gripping semi-final battle with Stockport.Jack Diamond and Ryan Rydel missed from 12 yards as Orient prevailed 4-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing tie had ended 3-3 on aggregate following a breathless 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park.Ollie O’Neill had fired Orient ahead after just three minutes but S...
- 1 Richie Wellens hails Leyton Orient’s ‘outstanding’ victory over Stockport
- 2 Man Utd are losing the feeling of being a massive club – Ruben Amorim
- 3 Eddie Howe tells Newcastle to ‘drive forward’ and seal Champions League spot
- 4 Rangers thump Aberdeen to end five-match winless streak at Ibrox
- 5 Newcastle beat 10-man Chelsea to take step towards Champions League spot
- 6 Leyton Orient book Wembley date by beating Stockport on penalties
- 7 Albanian Laura Woods goes braless in pink top
- 8 AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson wary of Notts County fightback in second leg
- 9 Brendan Rodgers hits out at ‘needless challenge’ on Reo Hatate
- 10 Brian Graham’s 100th goal for Partick Thistle earns dramatic play-off win at Ayr