Mansfield Town return back home as they face Morecambe with the Stags desperate to return to winning ways

The Stags have lost three consecutive matches as they struggle to follow their form from the start of 2021. This weekend they face Morecambe with Mansfield Town needing a win to turn a corner.

Nigel Clough’s men have been defeated in their last three league matches and will be hoping that they can turn their form around with victory against Morecambe.

It has been a tough few weeks for the Stags after going on such a good run of form in January, to getting postponements left, right and centre, which is one factor of the loss in match sharpness.

In their last encounter, the amber and blues travelled to the EnviroVent Stadium to face Harrogate Town as they looked to avoid a league double in defeats against the Town.

Not many chances were had in the whole 90 minutes as both sides looked content with a point from the encounter and failed to really threaten a winner.

That was until the start of the second-half, and it took the hosts exactly 19 seconds to get the opener and the eventual winner.

After the second-half started, heading passes between Ryan Sweeney and Ferrand Rawson saw Aaron Martin pounce upon an opportunity as he slotted the ball beyond Aidan Stone and into the back of the Mansfield goal.

Mansfield were defeated once more as they continued to slide down the table. After five consecutive wins, they sat in 12th and now after three straight losses, sit in 19th as Clough looks to find a solution as to why this is happening.

This weekend’s opponents, Morecambe, have had completely different fortunes under Derek Adams, and have excelled a lot under the stewardship of the Scotsman.

Sitting fourth in League Two, the Shrimps could make a leap up to as high as second if they were to defeat the Stags, and if results go their way.

The Lancashire club have been victorious in their last two league outings as they look to challenge for an automatic promotion spot.

In their last league match, they faced Salford City at the Mazuma Stadium in what was a huge match for both teams in terms of league position.

Brandon Asante-Thomas gave the visitors the lead in added time of the first-half as the Ammies looked to gain a crucial victory over Adams’ side.

That ultimately didn’t come off as the hosts made a miraculous comeback in added time of the second-half. Carlos Mendes Gomes scored in the 94th minute with Aaron Wilding getting the winner two minutes later.

The last four outings between the Stags and the Shrimps have ended in draws, two 1-1 draws and two 2-2 draws, with one coming in the Carabao Cup which saw Morecambe victorious on penalties.

Mansfield Town have only tasted defeat on three occasions against the Lancashire side at the One Call Stadium with the last defeat at NG18 coming in 2016.

Andrew Fleming’s goal in the 18th minute of the match secured the three points for the Shrimps and a valuable win at the One Call, their first victory at the home of the Stags since 2013.

A victory would be crucial for the Stags this weekend as they look to avoid four consecutive league defeats and three straight losses at home.

The three points for Adams’ men will allow them to close up on the top three and potentially climb to joint-top of the league if results go their way.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt