Mansfield Town 0
Cheltenham Town 2

ANGRY Stags manager Paul Cox warned his players they would be playing for their futures over the final two matches of the season after this lacklustre defeat ended their seven-match unbeaten run and outside hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Two second-half Jamie Cureton goals gave Cheltenham a deserved win to end their lingering relegation fears.

The Robins out-fought a poor Stags and always looked more hungry for the three points.

Cureton scored in the 58th minute after Anthony Howell, switched from midfield to striker at the start of the second-half, lost possession and man-of-the match Byron Harrison created the chance for a fine finish across on-loan keeper Lewis Price.

The experienced striker then finished exquisitely with a great chip over the keeper after Martin Riley’s back pass fell short 11 minutes from time.

The Stags, who switched from 3-5-3 to 4-4-2 at half-time, rarewly looked like scoring. Matt Rhead’s first-half looping header was easily saved and Ryan Tafazolli headed a corner narrowly wide.

In the second-half substitute Jake Speight had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside and later fired over from 20 yards.

Afterwards Cox said: “To say I am disappointed with the way we played is an understatement.

“The players are paid to play football, the best job in the world. They had something to prove to me and you would have thought they would be hungry to improve.

“I want to take this club forward and I am not accepting that.

“If I worked at Sainsburys and walked in with my flip-flops on I would be sacked.

“Today they (Cheltenham) did to us what we are renouned for. They had more desire to win and I am not going to stomach that.

“I hate losing and enjoy winning.”