Nigel Clough felt it would have been a "travesty" had Carlisle United held on for victory against his Mansfield Town side.

The Stags fought back after Offrande Zanzala, with Stephen McLaughlin's free-kick earning the hosts a point.

Clough felt that was the least his side deserved after claiming the hosts faced down United's battling style of play.

"They [Carlisle] make it difficult - second balls, battling away," Clough said.

"They matched up with us but I thought we had the better of the match.

"I thought it was a very good performance against a top-half side. We created by far the better chances and more chances.

"We just didn't quite finish them. But it would have been a travesty if we hadn't got anything out of the game.

"We got the equaliser and even after that had two or three situations that could have won the game.

"Their goal...they just had a shot that deflected into his [Zanzala's] path eight yards out. I wish one would drop for us like that."

Clough said he expected more goals given the attacking situations his team created.

Defensively, meanwhile, he said: "You have to deal with what Carlisle do, and how they play, and thought the back four did that brilliantly."