Dismal Stags defeated by Daggers

Sascha Studer beaten twice at Dagenham [PIC DAN WESTWELL]

Mansfield Town’s good fortune came to an abrupt end yesterday as Paul Cox’s men faltered at Dagenham & Redbridge, failing to a gutless 2-0 defeat.

Cox blamed “outside influences” for the defeat in his post-match comments which hinted towards Chesterfield’s rejected bid for Sam Clucas earlier in the week, however the blame should lie completely with the squad who were their own downfall with a poor defensive show and very little to offer at the other end.

The Stags named an unchanged line-up following last weekend’s victory over Newport County but it was a polar opposite performance, the hosts eventually found the opening on the stroke of half time as Luke Howell was left unmarked to fire beneath Sascha Studer.

Studer was perhaps a tad unfortunate to concede the second on sixty minutes after more defensive woe had left Stags un-tied, Abu Ogogo saw his effort deflect beyond the reach of Studer to double the hosts lead.

Mansfield switched to a vaig plan B with twenty-five minutes remaining, switching the 3-4-1-2 to a 4-4-2 formation, Sam Clucas came close after coming off of the bench whilst Matt Rhead was also denied, however there was a mass sense that no matter what the Stags tied, the Daggers would not be defeated.

STAGS: Sascha Studer, Ritchie Sutton, John Dempster ©, Ryan Tafazolli, Lee Beevers, Simon Heslop, Jamie McGuire, Rob Taylor (Fergus Bell 64), Chis Clements (Sam Clucas 64), Alex Fisher (Ollie Palmer 51), Matt Rhead
UNUSED SUBS: Martin Riley, Luke Jones, Adam Murray, Dimitar Evitmov