David Flitcroft sorry for Mansfield first-half showing in defeat to Crewe

Posted Sunday, April 08, 2018 by PA

David Flitcroft apologised for Mansfield’s performance after a 4-3 defeat at home to Crewe left the Stags winless in the seven games since he took charge.

Mansfield’s play-off hopes took another knock as they were ripped to pieces in the first half to go 4-1 down.

Crewe then stood firm to hang on as the Stags fought back strongly.

Flitcroft said: “I can only apologise for the first half.

“The difference in the two halves is inexplicable. We capitulated first half and then absolutely dominated second half.

“We have let our supporters down in that first half with a lack of fight, a lack of spirit and a lack of defensive responsibility.

“There was no pride in that first-half performance. It was a shameful performance from us all.

“We injected some enthusiasm through Ricky Miller and Danny Rose and through sheer willpower, enthusiasm and desire they changed the course of the second half.

“But it was too little too late. I need to understand why they started as they did and carried it for 30 minutes – that’s where this game was lost.

“I can’t justify what I saw from the two centre-halves, two players who have played a lot of games. We defended horribly and didn’t protect Conrad Logan today.”

Mansfield’s horror show began after seven minutes when James Jones punished the Stags for standing off him with a low finish.

Three minutes later Jordan Bowery reacted quickest after a Jones shot was saved.

Lee Angol gave Mansfield hope after 15 minutes when he pounced from close range after Ben Garratt had kept out his header.

But Charlie Kirk set up Harry Pickering for a low finish after 25 minutes and two minutes later Kirk crashed a superb finish across Logan from Bowery’s lay-off.

Mansfield rallied after the break and Kane Hemmings pulled one back on 50 minutes, heading in Ricky Miller’s cross.

Rhys Bennett denied Pickering with a goal-line clearance and Danny Rose hit the Crewe bar before Miller made it 4-3 on 77 minutes, after a CJ Hamilton shot deflected to him.

Crewe held on and boss Dave Artell said: “People will remember that last 20 minutes and say we got lucky – but did we hell.

“We were 4-1 up at half-time and they couldn’t get anywhere near us. We missed three other great chances.

“They were throwing balls into the box and going for it – they had nothing to lose.

“But the football we played in the first half was some of the best I have seen a Crewe team play, though I wasn’t here in the golden years, but we were terrific.

“The pleasing thing is they are actually disappointed in the dressing room. That’s how far we’ve come.

“The lads dug in in that second half and wore the shirt with pride.

“When I asked them to be men for that last minutes, they were. It was as if the Lufftwaffe were going for our box. Balls were coming in from everywhere.”