Manager Nigel Clough blasted Hiram Boateng’s “incredibly silly decision” as 10-man Mansfield conceded three goals in 10 minutes late on to lose 3-1 on Bolton boss Ian Evatt’s big night.
Evatt’s 250th game in charge of Wanderers was heading for defeat with Town leading through Boateng’s first-half goal with 20 minutes remaining.
But the scorer went from hero to zero with a second yellow card and the Stags fell apart as Dion Charles, Victor Adeboyejo and John McAtee ensured Evatt celebrated his landmark game with a win.
Clough claimed Boateng’s second caution for a foul on Randell Williams was “harsh”.
However, he admitted: “We have now lost four league games on the spin which is a disgrace considering the four performances we have put in.
“But we must do everything absolutely right to get a result. We did 90 per cent of it right but one player made an incredibly silly decision and it cost us the game.
“But I should have brought him (Boateng) off. Normally when players are on yellow cards we bring them off. They will come off in future every time.
“So, I am hugely frustrated and disappointed with the manner of defeat.
“The thought process was ‘let him get through another five minutes without him doing something ridiculous’.
“But I don’t trust players. I used to work with a very decent man called Graham Taylor at England and he said ultimately players will always let you down.”
Bolton were booed off at half-time, failing to take early chances and then defending poorly as Boateng headed in Lucas Akins’ cross.
Evatt introduced four substitutes on the hour, including Charles, but nothing had changed until Boateng’s rush of blood.
“Yes, the sending-off helped us,” said Evatt. “But the lads that came on gave us extra impetus and it would have stretched and opened up anyway.
“So, I am really pleased we managed to overcome a difficult moment to get three points which is all that matters.
“We have to accept from now on we are going to be under scrutiny and under pressure. We must be able to cope with that pressure.
“The first 20 minutes we started well and had some big chances that we should have taken.
“We have got to be ruthless when those chances come and we have start stopping crosses and defending crosses coming into the box much better
“It was a poor goal to concede and made it incredibly difficult for us.”
On his 250th game and 126th win, Evatt added: “I believe anytime you are over 50 per cent you should be pleased.”
