Steve Burr had no qualms in admitting Harriers were beaten by a better side on Saturday as Mansfield eased to an ultimately comfortable 3-1 win at Aggborough to give the hosts their second straight home defeat.

Two half-time substitutions changed this one - Harriers lost some natural balance with the loss of Callum Gittings at the break, whilst the Stags threw on lively front man Luke Medley.

The 21 year-old proved simply unplayable in the second period and his impact was immediate as he scored one and netted another to give his side the win.

Speaking after the game, Burr gave David Holdsowrth's men their due, commenting: "My assessment is that we are second best today - in the first half we got off to a great start and managed to hold on to the lead.

"We lost Callum Gittings to an injury at half-time and had to change things round a bit but I thought in the second half they were the better side and deserved to win.

"The squad of players we have need to be at their maximum, especially in this division, to compete. Whether we can get that out of them with what we've got here remains to be seen but it is our job to do it.

"I felt again in patches we played some good football but Mansfield were always threatening to score."

Tom Shaw's goal just eight minutes in gave the home side an early lead - something we've seen in each of the team's three games so far this season.

Burr admitted that his youngsters need to cope better with taking an early advantage, adding: "It is about dealing with going in front; you have to be strong and defend your penalty box.

"That is part and parcel of the game but the lads are very disappointed - as the game went on today I just felt we were chasing it.

"The quicker we learn the better - we enjoy this level of football and there was a good atmosphere here again today, our fans got behind us like they always do.

"We have got to learn fast and stand up to teams like Mansfield.

We're down at the minute with the result but we have to work again and get ready for Tuesday."