'Starting point' - Gareth Ainsworth reacts to phenomenal Shrewsbury comeback

It looked like there was no way back for Ainsworth's men when they were a goal down and a man down at the break. 

Will Evans had given Mansfield the lead in the opening five minutes, and then Toto Nsiala got himself sent off when he fouled Lee Gregory 10 minutes before the break.

But an astonishing comeback, thanks to goals from captain John Marquis and George Lloyd saw Town turn the game on its head to register their third win in their last four matches at the Croud Meadow.

It was a welcome victory for Salop, who came into the game after back-to-back 1-0 defeats on the road against Charlton and Stockport.

It moved the former Wycombe and Queens Park Rangers manager's side off the bottom of the League One table and he could not contain his joy at full-time.

"People thought Birmingham was the starting point," the head coach said as he reflected on the game. 

"Then they thought Wrexham was the starting point. This is the starting point, what a comeback. 

"They boys, they just believe so much. There is so much buy-in now, and my favourite bit was the scramble at the end, which ended up with an Aaron Pierre block. 

"Mansfield came, they threw me at the start. They played a different shape to what they have been playing all season, but we adjusted, and we put Josh Feeney in midfield. 

"We were the better team then, even though we were 1-0 down, it was a rubbish goal to concede. It is a scabby shot that goes to one of their players, but we are not out quick enough.

“To go 1-0 down was a real killer, and then to go down to 10 men was an absolute killer too - Toto (Nsiala) has stuck his hands up. 

"I think there was a mix-up on the halfway line between those two, and we have got to be better there, definitely."