The Stags in all sorts of trouble as they face league leaders Cheltenham Town at the One Call Stadium

Crumbling has been an understatement for the last few games that Mansfield Town have played. One victory in the last six league matches is a vast contrast to where the amber and blues were in January.

Nigel Clough’s men have been on a rollercoaster of a ride so far this season. From winning five consecutive matches between December and January, the Stags now find themselves with only three points out of a possible 18.

After a midweek defeat against Bradford City at Valley Parade, Clough’s men looked to bounce back with a victory against relegation-battling Barrow at the Progression Solicitors Stadium.

A poor first-half between the two sides saw very little chances created at Holker Street as the score remained goalless with the teams heading into the half-time interval.

Ryan Sweeney earned an early yellow card eventually led to his dismissal in the 63rd minute to leave Mansfield down to ten men.

A three-minute brace saw Barrow with a 2-0 lead in the 77th minute. Patrick Brough’s goals sunk the Stags and saw the Bluebirds take the three points.

This left Mansfield in 19th place in League Two with only one victory in six league matches and a second consecutive league defeat.

Their opponents, Cheltenham Town, have been on fantastic form and will definitely not underestimate the poor form of the side from NG18.

Michael Duff’s side have marched on to the top of the league as they look to build on their play-off campaign from last season.

A defeat to Northampton Town in the play-off semi-final will have brought the Robins and Duff added motivation to get promoted automatically out of the fourth division of English football.

The Robins were able to get their fourth consecutive league last weekend against Darell Clarke’s struggling Port Vale.

Alfie May’s double saw Cheltenham take a healthy lead in the first-half as they looked to brush the Valiants aside at the Jonny Rocks Stadium.

Liam Sercombe was able to add a third as Duff’s men ran rampant and were destined to stay at the top of League Two.

A late scare from Will Swan and Alex Hurst saw Vale recover two goals, but it was too little too late as Cheltenham ran out 3-2 victors in a crazy five-goal thriller.

The Stags have only won once in the last five matches against the Robins and will be looking to get an ever so vital victory against the league leaders.

The two sides have already faced each other twice this season, once in League Two and once in the FA Cup. Cheltenham progressed in the cup after a 2-1 victory and the two sides drew 0-0 at the Jonny Rocks Stadium in League Two action.

Mansfield Town have been unable to record back-to-back victories against the Robins since the early 2000s and will be looking to get back to winning ways against one of the league’s top sides.

For Cheltenham, it will be a match where they need to win if they are wanting to remain at the top of the league. A draw or a loss at the One Call Stadium could see Duff’s side drop down to third.

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