Nigel Clough rues ‘two points thrown away’ as Mansfield held by AFC Wimbledon

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was left frustrated by two errors that proved costly as his side twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 home draw with AFC Wimbledon.

The Stags have now not won in eight league games but twice led through Jon Russell goals only for the Dons to profit, thanks to James Tilley and Matty Stevens, from a loose pass and a penalty conceded.

“That was two points thrown away from the positions we have been in, ahead twice,” said Clough.

“We started the game really well and scored a good goal, then we go and shoot ourselves in the foot again and give another goal away.

“We told the players yesterday that we can’t afford to make the mistakes we have been making, but they then go and do it again.

“We scored another brilliant goal as Tyler Roberts put Jon Russell through.

“But then we go and give another penalty away. I don’t know how many that is this season but it’s far too many.

“It worries me about our unprofessional nature when we give away that many penalties over the course of a season.

“We are having to work incredibly hard to create chances – no one is making mistakes against us or giving us goals like we are giving them to the opposition.

“We are also getting punished for everything. Every half mistake ends up in the back of our net.

“The only good thing is we’ve stopped the rot in terms of defeats and got to the 40 point mark.”

A great turn and cross from Victor Adeboyejo set up Russell for a low finish from 10 yards for a seventh-minute lead.

But Callum Maycock intercepted Frazer Blake-Tracy’s short pass to Regan Hendry and fed Tilley, who drilled home the equaliser off the inside of the near post on 14 minutes after a one-two with Marcus Brown.

The Stags regained the lead on 29 minutes as Russell ran onto a superb Tyler Roberts through ball to guide home a low finish.

Wimbledon improved after the break and were level after Deji Oshilaja fouled Marcus Brown and Stevens netted the penalty on 58 minutes.

Both sides then had great chances in an end-to-end finish.

Dons boss Johnnie Jackson said: “It was physically tough and very demanding as conditions were not great with all the rain. So we knew from the start it would not be the prettiest of games.

“The pitch was really hard to play on so, in light of that, it was a really good game.

“Both teams went for it and tried to win it. Both teams could have won it and both could have lost it.

“But I was very pleased with the way we dug in away from home when we had to and twice responded from going behind.

“That is not easy to do, especially in these conditions.

“We are pleased with the point, especially with the way the game went.

“I am not saying we deserved to win the game but we were certainly worthy of our point.

“We are finding it hard to keep a clean sheet at the minute but we are being a bit more expansive with the ball and scoring goals.”