Stags’ winless run is finally shattered as they beat Tranmere Rovers to move out of the relegation zone

Nigel Clough must feel as if a weight has lifted off his shoulders as his Mansfield Town side beat Tranmere Rovers 2-0 to end a winless run of 14 games in all competitions.

With the amber and blues sat in 23rd at the start of the weekend, the game against the Rovers was a must-win to lift the confidence and the mood in the Stags camp.

Elliott Hewitt and Stephen McLaughlin returned to the lineup for this game as they recovered from their respective injuries.

Fit-again George Maris also started the game as he replaced the suspended George Lapslie with Ollie Clarke, Harry Charsley and Stephen Quinn joining him in midfield.

Upfront, Clough opted with the partnership of Rhys Oates and Danny Johnson as Jordan Bowery dropped to the bench and Oli Hawkins started at centre-back alongside Ferrend Rawson.

The Stags had the chance to take the lead inside the first five minutes as they were awarded a penalty after Rhys Oates was brought down in the box.

Johnson stepped up to take the penalty, however, the forward missed the target completely and the scores remained level.

Tranmere had chances of their own moments later. Firstly, Callum McManaman’s pass found Kieron Morris who stabbed the ball goalless, but Stags’ shot-stopper Nathan Bishop was alert to tip the effort around the post.

A minute later, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net. However, the linesman had his flag up and the goal was disallowed.

In the 18th minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Quinn’s defence-splitting ball found Oates who took a fantastic first touch before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

After the half-hour mark, Maris had a go from range but his effort hit Charsley on the way through and deflected wide of the target.

The Stags could have doubled their lead near the end of the first half. Quinn, once again the provider, found Charsley inside the area but the midfielder’s effort was cleared off the line by Tom Davies.

At the start of the second period, Tranmere had a chance through their first half saviour Davies. The corner found the defender inside the area, however, he skewed his volley over the crossbar from close range.

Johnson, after his first half penalty miss, had a chance to double the amber and blues’ lead. A cross found the forward at the back post but he failed to hit the target.

However, Stags’ number 11 found the back of the net in the 67th minute. Goalscorer Oates did brilliantly to wriggle his way through the Tranmere defence as he unselfishly passed the ball into Johnson who doubled Mansfield’s lead.

Quinn had a shot from the edge of the Rovers box but the midfielder failed to keep his effort down and couldn’t hit the target.

In the final 15 minutes of the game, the Stags were able to hold onto their two-goal lead and go onto collect an important three points which moved them out of the relegation zone.

For the Rovers, it was their second straight league defeat as they fell down to 11th place but are still only one point away from a play-off spot.

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