'It doesn't get more harsh' - Clough

Nigel Clough guided Mansfield Town to promotion from League Two last season

Boss Nigel Clough described Mansfield Town's defeat by Leyton Orient as the "harshest" he has seen inflicted on his side.

The Stags took an early lead and hit the crossbar before the parity was restored, then needed to fight back to level and had a late penalty shout waved away after conceding what Clough called a "goal of the season contender" that clinched the 3-2 win for Orient.

"It doesn't get more harsh than it does on us tonight," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"We deserved something from that game."

The defeat was Mansfield's third in as many games and leaves them eight points and four places above the relegation places with five matches remaining.

The Stags had been given the ideal start when Dom Dwyer met a drilled low cross from Elliott Hewitt to put them ahead from close range after just three minutes.

Aaron Lewis went on to smash a fierce effort off the underside of the crossbar before Orient levelled through Dilan Markanday in the 39th minute.

Charlie Kelman's second-half double, which included a stunning curled finish from beyond the top-left corner of the box, came either side of a George Maris' equaliser for the Stags.

While Kelman's winner was a cracker, Clough was left shocked when Omar Beckles challenge on Jordan Rhodes did not result in a penalty.

"How we don't' get a penalty when Jordan Rhodes gets smashed in the face in the penalty area I do not know" Clough fumed after the match.

"I don't know what you have to do to get a penalty if you don't get those."

Despite the frustration, Clough felt his players "could not have given anymore" and praised them for showing that they are capable of going on to secure their place in the third tier for another season.

"I'm much more heartened with the performance comparted to the last couple," he said.

"All we have to do is keep producing those performances. We have to keep our standards high."