In-form Stags look to close up on the play-off places with Carlisle United making the trip to the One Call Stadium

Credit: Mansfield Town FC

Seven points separate Mansfield Town and seventh-place Harrogate Town who sit in the final play-off position in League Two.

The amber and blues have picked up a fantastic run of form which has seen them win seven of their last eight games in all competitions.

It was key for the Stags to get back on the winning trail after going winless in 14 games prior to this run which had them in the relegation zone.

Mansfield’s last game saw them progress into the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup as they came from behind to beat Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The hosts took the lead through Branden Horton after seven minutes. Aidan Barlow found the full-back in the box who found the back of the net with ease.

Nigel Clough took off the injured Stephen McLaughlin and replaced him with Jordan Bowery as the Stags manager made a formation change.

Minutes later, Mansfield were back level after Will Forrester’s first goal for the club. Stephen Quinn’s corner was flicked on by George Lapslie with the Stoke City loanee heading the ball in.

The visitors continued their attacking impetus as they took a 2-1 lead on the hour mark. Lapslie, who got the assist for the first goal, was on the scoresheet as he was there to fire in the rebound following Bowery’s shot was saved by Rovers goalkeeper Louis Jones.

Stags’ number 32 extended his sides’ advantage in the 71st minute with a cool finish following a fantastic passage of play in the lead up to the goal.

Tommy Rowe’s effort with six minutes to go was only a consolation as Mansfield won 3-2 to knock another League One outfit out of the competition following their 1-0 win against Sunderland in Round One.

The Stags finally face a home league match as they take on struggling Carlisle United, who themselves played in the Second Round of the FA Cup last weekend.

Keith Millen’s side had the majority of the chances throughout the encounter but Shrewsbury’s quality in front of goal was just too much for the League Two outfit.

Tom Bloxham put the Shrews in front as Nathanael Ogbeta found the forward in the box with his effort deflected into the back of the net.

Both sides pushed each other for the rest of the game with the visitors scoring their second goal of the afternoon in the 78th minute and putting the tie beyond Carlisle.

Daniel Udoh’s through ball found the on-running Ryan Bowman who bamboozled his marker and stuck the ball past Mark Howard.

The Cumbrians got a goal back in added time through Jordan Gibson but it was too little too late as Shrewsbury ran out 2-1 victors.

Carlisle have been poor in the league and have only recorded three wins with a managerial change not seeing huge improvements.

A win in their last league encounter against Walsall saw them move off the bottom of the league, however, they are only one point above the relegation zone and a victory against the Stags could see them a few points clear of the bottom two.

Clough’s side will not make it easy for the Cumbrians as they chase after another league victory which could promote them into the top half of League Two.

What will be slightly worrying for the amber and blues is that they’ve only beaten Carlisle once in their last five matches. However, with a good run of form behind them, the Stags will be confident that they can overturn their fortunes against the Cumbrians.

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