Mistake was costly, says Forest Green boss Hockaday
Oli Thorne's foul on Rob Duffy in the fourth minute at Field Mill proved decisive, as the Stags striker slotted home the resulting spot-kick for the game's only goal.
It was Rovers' first defeat in seven matches – six of them overseen by Hockaday – and he felt his players had been taught a harsh lesson.
"We talk about the first few minutes of each half and not doing anything silly, and that key moment has lost us the game," said Hockaday.
"As long as we learn from it then I'll have it, as it's the best way to learn in a horrible sort of way.
"To give away a soft penalty like that was really disappointing. Having said that, we had the whole of the game to get it back and we had three or four very good chances to at least have equalised.
"We need to be better and more ruthless at both ends. Yes, the conditions were blustery and horrible, but we need to show more composure and take points from games like that."
Thorne, 19, had been dispossessed by Duffy in the build-up to the penalty incident when attempting to shepherd a long ball out of play.
Hockaday said: "In the first few minutes you don't mess about – defend a throw-in or corner or defend in their half. Any indecision and you're going to get caught, and we were caught cold."
One positive to emerge from the defeat was a solid display at right-back from new signing Jared Hodgkiss, a 22-year-old who was released by West Brom.
With no midweek fixture before this Saturday's home clash with AFC Wimbledon, Hockaday hopes to see a let-up in the spate of injuries that has claimed four defenders in Andy Taylor, Jeffrey Imudia, Lee Ayres and Curtis McDonald.
"Jared came in and did a job and he looks like he's got something, so we'll keep on having a look at him," he said. "A week's break will be a good thing if we can get some of our key players back."
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