COUGHLAN: THAT WAS COBBLERS

GRAHAM Coughlan criticised Northampton’s ‘awful’ football after seeing his Mansfield side claim their first away win in two months.

- James Henegan

The visitors took control of the match when Sam Hoskins saw red after only 11 minutes and Danny Rose converted the resulting penalty.

Willem Tomlinson sealed victory in the second half, and Coughlan took the opportunity to aim a dig at Cobblers boss Keith Curle.

“I didn’t think that was football today to be honest, it was rugby and I didn’t enjoy it,” said Coughlan.

“It’s not what the game is about and it wasn’t a spectacle but our players were absolutely magnificent. They wore their heart on their sleeves and they headed everything.

“I emphasise the word rugby because that was awful to watch, awful, terrible. I wouldn’t like to be looking at that week in, week out.

“The lads knew what was coming and we’ve played Northampton twice now under me and we were by far the better team on both occasions.