The Stags look to build some consistency as they travel to the People’s Pension Stadium to face Crawley Town

Nigel Clough will be hoping his men can build on from their victory against league leaders Cheltenham Town as they head into the latter stages of the League Two season.

The Nottinghamshire club were simply brilliant in January and they somewhat disappeared after a long break due to postponements.

Lack of rhythm, match fitness and match sharpness can all play a part in the downfall of the amber and blues who have only managed two wins in their last seven league outings.

Mansfield were able to get a victory in their last league outing in midweek against league leaders Cheltenham Town at the One Call Stadium.

After a tight affair in the first-half, the second 45 minutes brought a lot of action, goals and excitement from both sides.

Sam Smith gave the visitors the lead six minutes into the second-half as the forward met Chris Hussey’s cross and nodded the ball into the back of the net.

The Stags were level four minutes later through Jordan Bowery. Stephen Quinn passed the ball onto Jason Law who in turn slipped Mansfield number nine in as he smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Jamie Reid completed the turnaround in the 63rd minute. A corner from Law was head out back to the youngster who fired the ball back across the face of goal and after a scramble the forward turned the ball into the goal.

A wonderful one-two between Reid and Bowery saw the latter slot the ball past Josh Griffiths to secure Mansfield’s third goal, the three points and a fantastic home win against the top team in League Two.

Last time out, Crawley faced a home match during midweek as they welcomed play-off pushing Salford to the People’s Pension Stadium.

Plenty of chances were had between the two sides with a combined total of 25 shots and 12 shots on target throughout the whole 90 minutes.

The Red Devils took the lead in the 21st minute of the match. Tom Nichols was able to slot the ball beyond Václav Hladký and gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

John Yems’ men were able to hold on throughout the rest of the match as they gained a valuable three points against a promotion-hunting side with Crawley closing the points gap to the play-off places to seven points with a couple of games in hand on the teams above.

The Stags have failed to taste victory at the People’s Pension Stadium in their last four attempts when travelling to West Sussex.

Mansfield’s last victory away from home against the Red Devils came in January 2016 as Chris Beardsley’s goal on the hour mark secured the three points for the travelling amber and blues.

In the reverse fixture between the two sides it finished 3-3 after a six-goal thriller at the One Call Stadium saw each side take a point away.

Clough’s men were ahead after four minutes as Ryan Sweeney nodded the ball into the back of the net after a George Maris cross.

A second-half blitz from Crawley saw them 3-1 leaders after a horrific 15 minutes for the Stags. Max Watters levelled the score in the 49th minute with Tom Dallison giving the hosts the lead five minutes later.

Watters scored his second of the match five minutes after Dallison’s goal as Yems’ side looked comfortable to cruise to victory after a miraculous turnaround.

George Lapslie got a goal back for the Nottinghamshire side in the 72nd minute with Andy Cook netting the leveller with virtually the last kick of the game.

Mansfield will want to break the habit of inconsistency and get another victory under their belt. Whereas for Crawley, they will be looking for a third consecutive victory and won’t make life easy for the Stags.

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