Adam Murray laments 'worst performance' of his Mansfield reign
ByPA Sport Report
Published 24/11/2015 at 23:13 GMT
Just four days after his first anniversary in charge, Mansfield boss Adam Murray slammed his side for what he saw as their worst performance under him in the tame 2-0 home surrender to Exeter.
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The Stags conceded two first-half goals, despite having more of the ball, and never looked like coming back, Grecians goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik having no real saves to make.
"That was probably the worst performance, especially first half, that I've had in the year in charge," said Murray. "We didn't get started, we looked naive and it looked a chore to play football tonight.
"It looked like we turned up and just thought the result was going to come tonight.
"I think we thought Exeter were going to roll over for us and I am a little bit embarrassed as it was not a team we've become used to seeing. I didn't know we could do that to be honest, so disappointed is putting it mildly.
"It's been a pleasure to watch this team up until tonight.
"We will be in tomorrow and we will pick it to bits as I am not accepting that. If we are going to lose a game of football we will lose it in the right way.
"Credit to Exeter - their movement and rotation in the front four was superb. But I want answers for that tonight as that's not what I've put together.
"It's on their toes. We have a way of playing here and that's not it."
City made an early breakthrough with a swift counter-attack down the left that saw Mansfield-born Lee Holmes cross hard and low for Joel Grant to turn the ball home from six yards.
On 41 minutes it was 2-0 as Grant ran superbly through three opponents to square a pass for Holmes to slot home from 10 yards.
After the break only home keeper Brian Jensen prevented a third as he saved from Ryan Harley and David Wheeler with some home fans booing their side off.
City boss Paul Tisdale said: "I am delighted with three points. That's what we set out to achieve and we got it.
"We were a little bit scruffy at times with our play and I don't think it's the best we've played.
"But we crafted two really good goals. There wasn't a lot of really good football in the game, but both those goals came from really nice passing moves and were nicely finished.
"You get two goals up and it's then about being really practical with your play and we defended pretty well. Two-nil away from home is always a nice result to get.
"They are having a very good season so we are very pleased to get a win here."
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