Mansfield Town face a tough trip to Carlisle in search of a return to winning ways

After another draw in League Two, the Stags will be looking to get back to winning games as they face a trip to Cumbria to play in-form Carlisle United.

It’s been two games and two draws for Mansfield Town, who have failed to win since their victory over Cambridge United two weeks ago.

Last weekend, the amber and blues faced fellow strugglers and rivals Grimsby Town at Blundell Park. The encounter had no real chances and was a dull 1-1 draw.

Both of the sides struggled to create anything as nine shots on target was a combined total, but most of those were efforts from range and only a few of those were actually meaningful opportunities.

The second half gave the fans watching at home some entertainment as Ira Jackson Jr gave the Mariners the lead. Grimsby’s forward was able to pounce on a rebound and bundled the ball into the back of the net in the 63rd minute.

It didn’t take long for Mansfield to respond. With virtually his first touch of the game after coming on, Nicky Maynard slotted the ball into the back of the Grimsby goal from the penalty spot.

Harry Charsley made the run through after a George Lapslie pass in which the midfielder was brought down. Mansfield’s striker sent the Mariners goalkeeper Sam Russell the wrong way as Stags’ no. 22 scored his fourth goal of the season in all competitions.

Last weekend, Carlisle faced Stevenage as the League Two strugglers travelled to Brunton Park to play a side that have only lost five times in the league and sat third.

The Cumbrian side blew away the men from Hertfordshire as the onslaught started from minute one and Carlisle managed to have 22 shots against Stevenage’s one.

Nick Anderton opened the scoring in the tenth minute from a Callum Guy assist that started the rampant Cumbrians off.

The lead was doubled nine minutes later. Joshua Kayode gave Carlisle a 2-0 after Guy notched another assist and they looked comfortable and sailing to another victory.

In the 34th minute, Lewis Alessandra took the game beyond the reach of Stevenage as Anderton’s assist allowed the forward to make his contribution and put Carlisle 3-0 up.

Joe Riley made it 4-0 with about 15 minutes to go in the fixture and Boro’s day got worst when Luke Prosser was dismissed.

Mansfield and Carlisle have faced each other a total of 13 games in the space of the last six years.

On their last encounter at the One Call Stadium, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. After quite an uneventful first half, the Stags gained the upper hand as they gained the lead in the 58th minute. Danny Rose would assist last season’s top goalscorer, Nicky Maynard, as the striker slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Nicky Maynard added his second of the game in the 72nd minute to make it 2-0 in the Stags’ favour as the home side looked to shut the game out.

Elliot Watt started Carlisle’s comeback in the 81st minute as the on-loan midfielder reduced the deficit to just one goal.

Mansfield’s hearts were broken as Joshua Kayode popped up with a 93rd-minute equaliser as the teams shared the spoils.

Carlisle have been very good this season so far as they sit third in the league only four points off league leaders Newport.

To represent the task facing Nigel Clough’s Mansfield, in eight fixtures at Brunton Park, Carlisle have only lost once against second-placed Cheltenham

On the other hand, Mansfield Town have been very good away from home. In their last eight away fixtures, they have only lost once and that was against league leaders Newport County back at the start of October. Since then they have been unbeaten away winning twice and drawing on four ocassions.

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