Stags still looking for the decisive victory as they take on promotion pushing Tranmere Rovers

Mansfield Town’s winless run dates back to August 14th where they secured their last victory, a 2-1 win over Newport County at the One Call Stadium.

The amber and blues are currently experiencing the real lows of a football as all the confidence taken from the Port Vale game was taken away from them.

Exeter City were the opponents last weekend and the Grecians have been on a fantastic run of form, only losing once in the league so far this season.

Nigel Clough’s side more than held their own during the first half with the sides level pegging at the half-time interval.

The Stags took the lead five minutes into the second period. Stephen Quinn’s cross found the head of Oli Hawkins who nodded the ball into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

However, Timothee Dieng equalised for the hosts in the 61st minute as they looked to extend their unbeaten streak. They would seal the three points with seven minutes of the game to go as Matt Jay netted the winner for the Grecians.

This defeat doomed the Stags to their 14th game without a victory as they tumbled into the relegation zone following Oldham Athletic’s draw against fellow strugglers Carlisle United.

Mansfield opponents this weekend, Tranmere Rovers, have had a very solid start to the season following their unsuccessful play-off campaign last term.

Following a brilliant eight-game unbeaten run, the Rovers tasted defeat for the first time since mid-September as they were defeated by Jon Brady’s flying Northampton Town.

Tranmere failed to hit the target throughout the 90 minutes but the Cobblers kept on knocking and they broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute through Kion Etete.

Sam Hoskins doubled the visitors’ lead from the penalty spot in the 68th minute as Northampton ran out 2-0 victors.

The victory was a much-needed one for Northampton as they retained their spot in the automatic places and extended their winning run to three with the Rovers dropping out of the play-off places following their fourth defeat of the league campaign.

Since the formation of the new fourth tier, Tranmere and Mansfield have played each other on six occasions. The Stags are yet to be defeated by the Rovers in League Two with the Merseyside club’s last victory over the amber and blues coming in the League Cup in 2013.

The sides played out two draws in their meetings last season, a 0-0 in the season opener at the One Call Stadium and a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park.

This match will mean a lot to the teams as they are both experiencing poor runs of form. Mansfield are in a more troubling situation but both sides will be looking to get back to winning ways.

A win for the Stags could see them move out of the relegation zone and close up on a spot in mid-table with the Rovers looking to regain their position in the play-offs.

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