Mansfield Town face their third consecutive away game as the Stags take on out-of-form Bradford City

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Nigel Clough’s side kept their unbeaten run going last weekend, however, the task will be much harder this time around as they take on Bradford City at Valley Parade.

The amber and blues will miss two key figures in defence, with Stags boss Nigel Clough needing to reshuffle his backline ahead of their trip to Yorkshire.

In their last outing, Mansfield Town were on the road once more as they travelled to South Wales to face fellow promotion contenders, Newport County.

A first half display, that should have seen the Stags score at least once, instead ended with the sides level and unable to find a breakthrough.

In the 68th minute after a relatively quiet second period, Clough’s men took the lead following Josh Pask’s own goal. A low drive from Stephen McLaughlin deflected off the Newport defender, past goalkeeper Nick Townsend and into the back of the net.

Minutes later, an all-out brawl happened as Oli Hawkins stopped a quick throw-in from Courtney Baker-Richardson. The defender tripped over the forward as all of the Newport and Mansfield players got involved, with Stags defender John-Joe O’Toole dragging Baker-Richardson and therefore earning a straight red card.

Hawkins was also booked as he was shown his 10th yellow card of the season which meant he would miss the next two fixtures against the Bantams and the home clash against Exeter City. The centre-back also conceded a penalty as Scott Bennett’s shot hit his arm and saw the referee point to the spot.

Talisman Dom Telford stepped up and calmly slotted the ball in from 12 yards as the Exiles looked to find a late winner. Fortunately for the Stags, that never arrived and they claimed another point away from home.

With Mansfield’s fantastic home form, away results also need to be positive and this fixture against Bradford will be another crucial one.

The Bantams recently sacked their manager Derek Adams after a poor run of performances but after a few days of searching, ex-Manchester City, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton boss Mark Hughes was appointed to take the club forward.

With that being said, the Bantams have only won once in their last five games which came on February 8th as they defeated Stevenage 1-0. However, since that victory against Boro, Bradford have recorded three consecutive league defeats against Exeter, Oldham Athletic, and most recently, Harrogate Town.

The then-managerless Bradford took the lead in the 12th minute as Matty Foulds put the Bantams ahead as they looked to get back to winning ways.

In added time of the first half, however, Warren Burrell scored to draw Harrogate level just before the half-time interval.

Even though Bradford had 25 shots throughout the encounter, the Sulphurites were clinical in their approach as second half goals from Lewis Page and Jack Diamond saw the visitors earn a 3-1 victory in the Yorkshire derby.

The appointment of Hughes just two days after their defeat shows that the Bantams are looking to rebuild once more and have brought in a man that has not only managed at the top level but has played in the top-flight with Manchester United.

The 58-year-old will face a tough task against the in-form Mansfield side as he takes on the Stags in his first game in charge of the Yorkshire outfit.

Bradford were victorious in their last encounter against the Nottinghamshire club, and in fact, have won the last three encounters against the amber and blues. In the reverse fixture, the Bantams recorded a 3-2 win with former Stag, Andy Cook netting the winner in the 87th minute.

A bumper crowd is expected at Valley Parade this weekend as Bradford City supporters welcome their new manager and the travelling Stags fans hope to see their side extend their unbeaten league run.

Mansfield Town have one aim and that is to not lose this fixture so they can keep themselves in the promotion picture and continue the fine run of form they have been on.

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