An eighth consecutive league victory sees the Stags set a new club record as they comfortably beat struggling Leyton Orient

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Mansfield Town continue to rise up the League Two table as a 2-0 victory over Leyton Orient moves the amber and blues into sixth, three points off the automatic promotion places.

In blustery weather conditions, the Stags were able to record an eighth consecutive league victory and break a club record in the process.

The deadlock was broken just before half-time and it did not avoid controversy. Rhys Oates picked out the run of strike partner Jordan Bowery inside the box, with the forward firing past Lawrence Vigoroux. In the build-up to the goal, it looked like Mansfield’s number nine brought the ball down with his hand, however, referee Sam Allison did not blow his whistle and the goal was given.

Ollie Clarke doubled the lead in the 72nd minute when Stephen Quinn’s corner was partially cleared by Orient as the ball dropped to Stephen McLaughlin. The full-back’s miscontrol fell kindly to Stags’ captain whose drilled effort found the bottom corner.

Nigel Clough made one change from the side that beat Barrow 3-1 at the Dunes Hotel Stadium last weekend. Ollie Clarke came into the side to replace the suspended Ferrend Rawson with new signing Kieran Wallace being named as a substitute for the first time since signing for the club on Friday alongside the returning James Perch, who sustained a fractured skull in mid-August but has been cleared to play again.

The amber and blues started the game brightly with the windy conditions playing in their favour. Quinn slid the ball through to Oates but the forward failed to take a shot and ran the ball out of play.

Orient continued to defend very well as the Stags fired the ball into the box. John-Joe O’Toole had the first shot of the game as he directed his header goalwards, however, it was straight at Vigoroux who made a simple catch.

McLaughlin was full of running as he passed it onto Ollie Clarke. The midfielder shifted the ball past his marker and took the shot on from outside the box but his low shot was another easy claim for the Orient shot-stopper.

Kenny Jackett’s side had their first shot of the game in the 21st minute. A long throw-in saw the ball fall to Jordan Brown who blazed his half-volley over.

The visitors continued to try and find a way through with crosses into the box but were unsuccessful in creating anything as the Stags were able to comfortably clear the danger away.

After defending resolutely for a few minutes, the amber and blues were on the front foot again as Clarke found Oates inside the box. The forward took the ball in his stride but fired it straight at the on-rushing Vigoroux.

Ruel Sotiriou was able to fire a shot after getting past O’Toole, however, his effort was off-target as the game remained goalless.

That did change just before half-time as Bowery fired the Stags in the lead. Oates found his strike partner inside the box, who brought the ball down and fired it into the back of the net. It did appear that Mansfield’s number nine did bring the ball down with his hand but referee Sam Allison did not blow his whistle and the goal stood.

In the second half, the wind played a massive factor as there were very few chances between the two sides. As the game opened up even further, the Stags scored their second of the afternoon with 20 minutes to go.

Quinn’s corner saw McLaughlin miscontrol the ball but Clarke was alert to strike a low effort into the bottom corner and give Mansfield a 2-0 lead.

Within a couple of minutes, Orient hit the post and the crossbar. Aaron Drinan had both attempts with the Stags fortunate not to concede.

Jackett’s men continued to ramp up the pressure in the latter stages, however, the solid Stags defence held them off and earned another victory.

To cap off a fantastic performance, veteran James Perch came onto the pitch to make his long-awaited return from injury.

Mansfield now take on Harrogate away from home in midweek with Orient continuing their travels as they face Bradford City.

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