Stags look to secure their third successive league victory against bottom of the league Scunthorpe United

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Mansfield Town have managed to turn their fortunes around after a poor start to the season that saw them go on a 14-game winless run.

Nigel Clough has seen key players return from injury and suspensions which has lifted the overall mood in the playing squad.

Stephen Quinn has probably been one of the most influential players after he came back into the squad following his six-game ban.

The 35-year-old links up the play brilliantly from the left side of midfield and understands left-back Stephen McLaughlin very well as the duo complement each other in every game they play together.

Last weekend, the Stags were able to dig deep and secure a massive 2-1 victory away at Stevenage, Mansfield’s first away league win of the season.

Mansfield’s newly found goalscorer, John-Joe O’Toole, popped up with the breakthrough in the 19th minute after McLaughlin’s delivery found the defender at the back post.

Boro did have chances through ex-Stag Jamie Reid but the forward found the post twice and the Stags held the lead at the half-time interval.

The hosts did manage to find an equaliser in the 55th minute as captain Scott Cuthbert fired in an important header to put his side on level terms.

As George Lapslie came off the field of play with a shoulder strain, his replacement, Ryan Stirk, popped up with the winner. He danced his way into the box and slotted the ball calmly into the net as his goal earned the Stags a valuable three points on the road.

Mansfield’s opponents this weekend, Scunthorpe United, a struggling immensely as they sit plum last in League Two with only two wins this season.

After losing twice to Doncaster Rovers in the space of three days, the Iron took on Salford City at The Sands Venue Stadium.

Heading into the encounter, both sides had experienced defeats in their previous league games, but the Ammies had recorded two successive victories in the Papa John’s Trophy and in the FA Cup.

That did not help Gary Bowyer’s men however as Ryan Loft gave the home side the lead. Connor Ripley’s failed clearance rebounded into the forward’s path as he had the easy task of tapping the ball in from close range.

Salford put themselves back on level terms in the second half. Matty Lund’s fantastic through ball found Conor McAleny who fired his effort in with calmness and composure. After that, the sides created very little as the points were shared after a well-contested 1-1 draw.

The Stags and the Iron are separated by five points as a victory for either side could be crucial in reaching their retrospective goals.

Since the formation of League Two, Mansfield have only lost once against Scunthorpe at the One Call Stadium with that defeat coming back in January 2014.

With that being said, the amber and blues have not tasted defeat in their last five meetings against the North Lincolnshire outfit and will be looking to extend that run this weekend.

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