High-flying Mansfield face tough Crawley test

Mansfield face a tough game away trip to Crawley Town on Tuesday night, with Mansfield knowing that they cannot afford to slip up again in their hunt for automatic promotion.

Last time the two teams faced each other, Mansfield beat Crawley 1-0 as an 88th minute Tyler Walker goal, who returns for the Stags after suspension, snatched David Flitcroft’s team all three points. The returning Walker has been in fine form this season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions and gives Mansfield a boost to the front line as they look to return back to winning ways.

Mansfield were beaten 2-1 away at Port Vale in their last League Two outing as a brace from ex- Mansfield player Ricky Miller secured the three points for The Valiants.

Mansfield had tried to come back through a headed goal by Nicky Ajose but left Vale Park empty-handed, a result that saw them slip down to fourth in the Sky Bet League Two table. However, all is not lost for the Stags as they only sit a point behind third placed MK Dons going into tomorrow’s fixture. As the final ten games of the League Two season approach, sides from first to ninth all know the coming month’s results will define their season in their quest for promotion.

Last time out, Crawley beat Grimsby Town 2-1 in a very even contest. Wes Thomas fired The Mariners into an early lead after only six minutes. A strong comeback from Crawley saw striker Ollie Palmer score two goals just before half-time and that was all the Reds needed to secure the three points in front of their home crowd.

Team News

Stags will be without long-term absentees Bobby Olejnik and Hayden White for the match.

Mansfield will also play without fowards Danny Rose (jaw), Craig Davies (ankle) and Jordan Graham (knee).

Defender Matt Preston (knee) remains a doubt and will have to pass a scheduled late fitness test to be included in the squad, while fellow defender Ryan Sweeney is out with concussion, suffered in Saturday’s match at Vale Park.

Crawley winger Felipe Morais may return after featuring as a substitute against Grimsby after missing two games due to illness. Luke Gambin is close to returning after a nerve problem, but Jimmy Smith remains a long-term absentee.