Grant McCann delighted with impact of Doncaster substitutes in win at Mansfield

Doncaster manager Grant McCann purred with delight over the impact of his substitutes after the late 2-1 win at Mansfield.

Stephen McLaughlin fired Mansfield ahead with a superb long-range strike in the 57th minute and McCann responded by introducing Robbie Gotts, Billy Sharp, Damola Ajayi, Jack Senior and Jordan Gibson.

That changed the flow of the game and Owen Bailey levelled after 76 minutes before poking home the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

McCann told Doncaster’s website: “Tough game but it’s always a tough game at Mansfield. I felt first half we had the better opportunities in the game.

“Thimothee (Lo-Tutala) has made a really good save in the second half when (Will) Evans got in and then they score, they score a very good goal.

“I need to look back at it and see if we can do better from that, if we can get to the ball quicker. McLaughlin has done that over the years, he’s got a very good left foot.

“The subs again, the impact off the bench, it’s why we’ve created this squad this season. They’ve come on and they’ve turned the game for us.

“I know Bails (Owen Bailey) will get the credit with the goals but the impact of the lads coming off the bench and how strong we were, we looked in the ascendency.

“I could feel we were going to get the goal and when we got the goal I could feel we were going to get the winner.

“I can’t be happier, delighted for the boys, proud of the fans, the atmosphere was outstanding today. I’m really pleased with the three points.”

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was left deflated after losing the game so late and felt the Stags did not do themselves any favours by defending poorly for both of Doncaster’s goals.

Clough said, in a video on Mansfield’s X account: “A shattering blow so late in the game as well. To get 1-0 up with 20-odd minutes to go we should be getting at least a point from there.

“We were scratchy, not particularly fluent. Doncaster looked overall the better team, more fluent.

“So what we have to do is when you’re not as fluent as you’d like to be, you’ve got to battle and scrap and get a point out of the game like today and if you defend properly you might get three.

“The subs didn’t have the impact today that we hoped. The three that came on didn’t have the positive impact on the game that we need them to have.

“I’m unbelievably disappointed with the two goals.”