Mansfield Town turn attentions to an away trip to Harrogate in midweek as they look to get back to winning ways

Credit: Harrogate Town

After two consecutive league defeats at home, Mansfield now turn their attentions to the road as they travel to The EnviroVent Stadium to face League Two new boys Harrogate Town.

The Town have held their own in the division and currently sit 15th in the league, one point ahead of the Stags going into this encounter.

After heart-break last Wednesday against Bolton Wanderers, with the Stags falling to hold onto their 2-0 lead and ending up losing 3-2, the amber and blues turned their attentions to a showdown at the One Call Stadium against league leaders Cambridge United.

There was not much to divide the sides in the first half and the score remained 0-0 going into the half-time interval.

The visitors started the second half brightly with Paul Mullin scoring his first in the 57th minute after Harrison Dunk was able to pick out the forward.

Eight minutes later and it was 2-0 for the U’s. Mullin scored his second of the game after a corner saw the ball go all the way through to him and he slotted the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.

In injury time, Cambridge sealed the deal with their third as substitute Harvey Knibbs added a goal for the League Two leaders as they continued their charge to League One promotion.

The win saw the U’s move a point clear of Forest Green at the top, but the Rovers and other teams below Cambridge have numerous games in hand on the league leaders.

That loss saw Mansfield drop to 18th after a bright spell since Nigel Clough’s appointment, a slight blip in form has seen the Stags fall down the league table.

Harrogate have been a surprise this season as they continue to impress in the fourth tier and currently sit 15th in the League Two table.

Three wins in their last five matches going into the game against Scunthorpe saw Simon Weaver’s side in a good position to get a potential three points with the Iron also winning three of their last five ahead of the encounter.

Devarn Green gave the hosts the lead after only four minutes of the match and gave them an early advantage in the encounter.

Josh March’s penalty gave the Town the leveller in the 27th minute as the visitors looked to keep up with the hosts and build on their goal.

In added time in the first half, Ryan Loft gave Hurst’s men the lead heading into the half time interval with their second shot on target being another goal.

Lewis Spence’s 90th minute goal set the match for the Iron as three shots on target and three goals saw Scunthorpe earn all three points.

In the reverse fixture, Calvin Miller’s 27th minute goal gave Harrogate the victory at the One Call Stadium and a valuable three points.

The Stags will be looking to weather the storm and bounce back from two consecutive defeats with the Town also wanting to return to winning ways after a defeat at the weekend.

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