Jordan Bowery salvages a point for Mansfield as the Stags lack creativity against Southend United

The Stags drew 1-1 against bottom of the league Southend United in their home encounter as the amber and blues lacked creativity throughout.

It was a first half performance to forget for the amber and blues as their insistence of playing down the right through Kellan Gordon was easily defended by the Southend defence.

When the attacks came down the left-hand side they looked more dangerous as Mal Benning pushed forward to give a helping hand to Jordan Bowery.

The striker had a chance to give the Stags a goal in the first half when he drove into the box, but he gave himself a very tight angle as his shot ended up in the side netting.

Mansfield Town dominated the second half as they grew more and more into the game. Both flanks looked more alive as Clough played a 4-4-2 formation allowing Bowery to play up front alongside substitute Andy Cook and deployed Harry Charsley and former Shrimper Stephen McLaughlin on each wing.

11 shots, four on target arrived in the second period with one effort finally beating Mark Oxley.

Bowery’s second goal for the Stags and the equaliser for the home side arrived in the 79th minute. The striker got the ball and his low shot beat Oxley to level proceedings.

Mansfield’s number nine earned the Man of the Match award for his performance and he was one of the better performing players from a bad bunch.

Bowery’s start to life at Mansfield started poorly. Disappointing performances and criticism from fans arrived accusing the player of looking disinterested.

Ever since Clough’s appointment, the forward has not stopped running and despite not always contributing to goals, the 29-year-old’s obsession on regaining possession and ability to keep things simple helped Mansfield get back into Saturday’s fixture.

He has won possession in the final third 12 times this season which is three more than second-best Charsley and four more times than his strike partner Cook.

The Nottingham-born striker has only scored double-figures in a season once which came all the way back in the 2017/18 season for Crewe Alexandra as he netted 12 goals and registered two assists in 45 League Two matches.

As he grows in confidence, the forward will hope to provide Mansfield with their much needed goal threat. In League One, a team often needs a regular goalscorer netting double figures consistently every season and Clough will hope he’s found that man in Bowery.

After the Southend game, the striker showed that his confidence levels are rising and he won’t stop helping the team overall in gaining more points in League Two.

“It does a lot for a striker because you want to score goals. I’ve said in the past it’s a little disappointing I haven’t scored more than two but I’m just going to keep going.

“I can’t let my head drop. Credit to the staff, they’re still picking me regardless of how many goals I’ve got so I just have to repay them and try to get more goals.

“I’m not going to give up – I’ll keep going whether it’s assists or whatever – I’ll do my best to help the team.”

The Stags face a tough trip to Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day and then end the year with Salford City coming to visit the One Call Stadium.

January will be a pivotal period as we will see Clough have his first transfer window as the Stags boss. Decisions could be made on multiple players in the first team squad as Mansfield look for stability heading into the business end of the season.

The sole aim now must be to continue their climb up the table. Clough’s initial start has been positive but the Stags must now build on recent performances to ensure no relegation battle ensues at the One Call Stadium.

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