McCormack has begrudging respect for Mansfield's 'gamesmanship'

Cobblers midfielder Alan McCormack admitted he had some begrudging respect for Mansfield's perceived gamesmanship during Saturday's fiery clash at the PTS.
Alan McCormack was at the centre of several flashpoints during Saturday's fiery clash with Mansfield. Picture: Pete NortonAlan McCormack was at the centre of several flashpoints during Saturday's fiery clash with Mansfield. Picture: Pete Norton
Alan McCormack was at the centre of several flashpoints during Saturday's fiery clash with Mansfield. Picture: Pete Norton

Sam Hoskins was sent off after just 10 minutes and that set the tone for an ill-tempered affair, particularly during the first 45 minutes.

Players from both sides almost came to blows on several occasions as Cobblers grew increasingly frustrated by Mansfield players going to ground and holding their heads, forcing referee Peter Wright to stop play.

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Town manager Keith Curle expressed his frustration afterwards and called on the referee to 'understand the game' better, however McCormack admitted he would have done the same thing in Mansfield's situation.

The Stags emerged 2-1 winners after Willem Tomlinson scored a second goal with 16 minutes to go, putting the game out of sight despite Harry Smith heading home in stoppage-time.

"You know what? Fair play to them," said McCormack when asked about Mansfield's gamesmanship. "I'd do the same thing and I have done the same thing in the past.

"I've been on the other side of it when you're a man and a goal up away from home and you're struggling at the bottom of the league and you're desperate for the points.

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"Your performances are of desperation for three points. They were 1-0 up and I would do the exact same thing so fair play to them and the referee gave it to them.

"We got a couple of dubious ones that might have been free-kicks or might not have been, but I thought they got a hell of a lot more than we did.

"We just had to keep our heads and stay patient and create chances. Smudge came on and was excellent in the second-half and got his goal but unfortunately it was too little too late."

Smith was a little less accepting than his team-mate, saying: "No one likes to see that and their lad up top, any chance he got given he threw himself onto the floor.

"The referee bought it quite a bit but I'm not going to go into that too much right now because we have to move on."