MANSFIELD'S defeat at Histon shows why more changes have to be made in the summer, says David Holdsworth.

The Stags boss has already brought in a raft of new personnel since being given the job late last year.

But after seeing his side lose, he insists the shake-up is far from over.

"I think we all know we need to make a step up. This is why we are halfway up the league," said Holdsworth.

"We have to look at each game, but we also have to look at the bigger picture.

"We have to improve the quality in the squad. That is painful for the players to hear, but they are fighting for their futures.

"I'm aware there are a lot of things we need to improve on, but you can't do it overnight."

Holdsworth felt Mansfield competed well in the first half, but were made to pay for defensive mistakes.

The Stutes scored twice in four minutes just before the break to take command.

He said: "It was a painful night for us and a big learning curve for some of the players.

"I thought we played some very good stuff in the first half and I didn't feel we were under threat.

"But having gone 1-0 down when Alan (O'Hare) and Adie (Moses) got caught out, we had a chance to clear down the line but didn't. If it had been a Histon player it would have finished up in the river. At 2-0 down we then found ourselves nearly out of reach."

Holdsworth brought in Aaron O'Connor and Alan O'Hare for starts in place of Louis Briscoe and Paul Mayo.

"I had a few players with niggles. Daryl (Clare) was feeling his knee, Duffers (Rob Duffy) and Louis (Briscoe) their hamstrings and Stalls was ill," he said.

"There are a lot with tired legs, but Aaron was fresh.

"I just felt Paul has had a couple of games where he has not been on the ball and Alan competed well apart from one lapse in concentration.

"Paul Mayo has been a very good player for us, but I had to make a judgment."