Mansfield boss Graham Coughlan likens Northampton’s style of play to rugby

Mansfield manager Graham Coughlan hailed his “magnificent” players and aimed a dig at Northampton’s “awful” style of play after a 2-1 win at Sixfields.

The Stags took control of the match when Sam Hoskins saw red after only 11 minutes and Danny Rose converted the resulting penalty.

Cobblers missed chances to equalise before Willem Tomlinson sealed victory in the second half, with Harry Smith’s stoppage-time header only a consolation.

“I didn’t think that was football today to be honest, it was rugby and I didn’t enjoy it,” said Coughlan.

“It’s not what the game is about and it wasn’t a spectacle, but our players were absolutely magnificent. They wore their hearts on their sleeves and they headed everything.

“I don’t think there was a Northampton player under 6ft and they just got bigger and bigger off the bench.

“They loaded up the box, they play for set-pieces, corners, throw-ins, but our lads were immense and that was a true Mansfield Town performance.

“I emphasise the word ‘rugby’ because that was awful to watch. Awful, terrible. I wouldn’t like to be looking at that week in, week out.

“How do you prepare for something like that? You would have had blood all over the training ground if we tried to replicate what was coming.

“The lads knew what was coming and we’ve played Northampton twice now under me and we were by far the better team on both occasions.

“I think that was a textbook way to play against Northampton, let alone 10 men. I know they might use the excuse of having 10 men but I didn’t think it really mattered. We were absolutely brilliant today.”

Northampton manager Keith Curle was frustrated with Hoskins’ decision-making after his clearance was charged down before he fouled Harry Charsley as the last man.

“I thought we started the game really well and we were in the ascendancy, but decisions that players make frustrate the life out of me,” said Curle.

“If you land on the ball, look for a forward pass and if it’s not on, turn around and give the ball back to the goalkeeper and he’s got 40 yards to control the ball and allow us to get in shape and he can clear the ball.

“If you do that, we’ve still got a level playing field after 10 minutes but then, after that, when you’re chasing somebody down over 30 yards, the worst thing you allow to happen is for him to score because you keep 11 men on the pitch and we win the game.

“The first contact is made outside the box and their lad overruns it, but the referee gives a penalty because his fall takes him past the penalty spot from the edge of the box.

“That’s a decision we have to live with but I felt there was a lot of positives because effort, desire, willingness and application were all there.”