Goal was way to repay boss Clough - Adeboyejo

Striker Victor Adeboyejo says scoring his first Mansfield Town goal in Nigel Clough's 300th game in charge of the club was a way to start repaying his boss' faith in him.

The 28-year-old ended a 15-game wait to open his goalscoring account for the Stags with an instinctive finish that set the Nottinghamshire side up for a 1-1 draw with Bradford on Tuesday.

Adeboyejo was delighted to get his breakthrough goal, and was quick to thank his team-mates, staff and manager Clough for their support during his barren start to life in Mansfield.

"I had to keep getting into those areas and I knew eventually one would come. Today was the one," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I just appreciate the support and the backing of the manager as well.

"He gets to know everything about the boys and we try to repay his faith."

Adeboyejo's goal on Tuesday was his first for 15 months, with his last coming against Mansfield Town in December 2024 while he was at Bolton.

Before swapping the Trotters for the Stags in January he had not featured in a first-team game for 11 months, having undergone knee surgery last season.

"It was a while back now," Adeboyejo nodded as the fact was put to him.

"I've been working hard and thinking about it [scoring]. I was out a long time injured and to be back playing and to score is amazing."

Stags manager Clough, a former England, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool striker, said he "could not be more pleased" for Adeboyejo after he scored.

He was also full of praise for the way he took the goal, steering the ball home after team-mate Ryan Sweeney scuffed the ball into his path.

"He's opened out and just diverted it into the far corner. It was completely intentional what he did," Clough said.

"And if anyone has needed a goal in the last few weeks, it's Victor."