The defensive rot continues as Stags record fifth successive defeat with Walsall seeing off the amber and blues

Another three goals were conceded away from home as defensively Mansfield Town can’t seem to catch a break with their winless streak continuing.

The Stags were simply off the pace as their defence cost them again with the amber and blues conceding three goals for the third game in a row.

Heading into this game, both sides were down in the bottom half of the table and only two points separated them before the encounter at the Banks’s Stadium.

Mansfield almost had the perfect start as Tyrese Sinclair flashed the ball across the face of goal, but unfortunately for the forward, no one in amber and blue was able to get on the end of it.

In the sixth minute, the Saddlers scored their first. A long ball forward caught out Elliott Hewitt as he failed to clear the ball. This allowed loanee George Miller to run through and fire his shot into the back of the net.

Nigel Clough’s men looked to equalise a minute later as Rhys Oates had his low shot tipped around the post by Walsall’s goalkeeper, Carl Rushworth.

Ever-present on set-pieces, Sinclair had a go from a free-kick but fired his effort wide of the left post.

The hosts went close to doubling their advantage after Brendan Kiernan’s through ball fell perfectly to Miller, who took on the volley which he saw bounce out off the underside of the crossbar. However, it wasn’t over just yet as Nathan Bishop spilt the ball but saw Richard Nartey react swiftly to shepherd the ball and deny Kiernan from poking it home from close range.

Moments later, Oli Hawkins looked to threaten with a headed chance. The forward directed his attempt goalwards only for Rushworth to produce a fine stop and time the effort over the bar.

Another set-piece and the Stags conceded another goal as Walsall went 2-0 up after Jack Earing’s cross reached Ash Taylor with his header beating Bishop from close range.

In the second half, Miller doubled his account for the afternoon as he out-paced Nartey and slotted the ball home with ease.

Earing and Miller both had chances to find further goals for Walsall. The former saw his effort go wide with the latter’s shot saved well by Bishop.

The Stags got a consolation goal in the 84th minute as Ryan Stirk’s cross found Danny Johnson with the forward finding the roof of the net.

Mansfield take on Rochdale in their next league fixture at the One Call Stadium next weekend with Walsall facing Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-21’s on Tuesday night in the Papa John’s Trophy before an away trip to Newport County.

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