A response is needed as the Stags face another long away trip down south

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Mansfield Town’s five-game unbeaten run came to an end during midweek as they were defeated by a very resilient Sutton United side.

A poor showing of finishing at Gander Green Lane did not help the amber and blues continue their winning streak.

Goals from Louis John and Omar Bugiel secured three points for the play-off pushing U’s with the victory moving them up to seventh place and into the final play-off spot.

Sutton got off to a flying start as Ricky Korboa whipped in a delightful free-kick in the fourth minute. The ball was cleared only half-cleared as it fell for John who fired the ball into the back of the net from close range.

The hosts fired in their second with 20 minutes to go. Oli Hawkins, who usually is reliable at the heart of the defence, cleared the ball straight to Bugiel. The striker without hesitation lashed the ball into the top corner of Nathan Bishop’s goal and wrapped up the three points for the U’s.

Of course, all good runs have to come to end, but this weekend’s encounter at The People’s Pension Stadium is the perfect game to bounce back.

John Yems’ Crawley Town sit 17th in League Two with a point and a position separating them and the Stags heading into their encounter.

The Red Devils were also in action during midweek and recorded a 1-1 draw against the impressive Newport County.

However, the West Sussex based outfit failed to stop the goal machine that is Dom Telford as he secured a point for the Exiles in the final 10 minutes.

A tame first half saw Crawley break the deadlock within the first 10 minutes of the second period. Kwesi Appiah was able to get on the scoresheet but his goal wasn’t enough for his side to secure a vital three points that would have seen them move up to 15th in the league.

Even though this may be a perfect opportunity for Mansfield to bounce back after a defeat, they’ve not beaten Crawley in their last four matches against the Red Devils recording two draws and two losses.

In fact, the Stags have only been able to pick up one win in their last eight matches against the West Sussex side with the amber and blues’ form not so good at The People’s Pension Stadium.

What is also important is the form that the two sides are on. Crawley have only managed two wins in their last 10 competitive matches in all competitions, whereas Mansfield have recorded over twice as many victories in the same period.

The key in this game will be heart, desire and courage as both sides will look to pick up results in moving up the league table and away from a potential relegation dogfight.

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