Nigel Clough: Mansfield Town boss wants more after 'no-frills' win v Newport

Mansfield Town only went top of the League Two table a week earlier

Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough has demanded more than their "no-frills, no-fuss" win at Newport County.

Saturday's 1-0 win sent the Stags three points clear at the top of League Two with 12 games remaining.

Mansfield next host fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons - a side they face twice in six weeks - on Tuesday.

"We have done enough today, but just enough. I want us to be better in the next 12 games," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"As pleased as we are with the result, we are not getting carried away and we are under no illusions that if we don't play better on Tuesday and Saturday [against Swindon] and the rest of the forthcoming games, then we will lose one or two.

"We have got more as well, we can play better than that. Certainly at the start of the game, and if chances are there in the first 15 minutes, then it's in the first 15 minutes that you go win the game - don't wait.

"It's a good lesson, but great to get the three points while having that lesson."

After going top of the table for the first time a week earlier, Clough said the Stags would "need to work harder" than ever to maintain their place at the summit.

George Maris' early second-half goal was enough to seal three points for Mansfield, with Newport failing to register a shot on target.

"The back four were very good indeed, Christy [Pym] didn't have a shot to save," Clough added.

"I'm very pleased and Aden Flint just showed his experience and everything. He played his position, stayed in the middle, cleared the ball when he had to and headed it when he needed to.

"No-frills, no-fuss, it was just do your job. We made them work very hard to get anything at all."