Lacklustre Stags record a second consecutive league defeat with Kian Harratt’s double earning Port Vale a vital win in the fight for promotion

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Mansfield Town looked disjointed, unorganised and uninspired as they slumped to a second defeat in the space of five days.

Chances were far and few between as the two sides took their time to settle into the game, but after a spell of dominance from Port Vale, the Stags sprung a fast breakthrough Kieran Wallace’s pass finding the path of Rhys Oates.

The forward still had a lot to do but got past his marker and latched onto the ball as he bared on goal. Seeing that Valiants goalkeeper and ex-Stags goalkeeper Aidan Stone was looking to dive at his feet, Oates rounded the shot-stopper and cooly slotted the ball into the back of an empty net.

11 minutes later, Vale scored the equaliser through James Wilson. Ben Garrity slipped the number nine through, and as he evaded the challenges from James Perch and Oli Hawkins, his low effort went through the hands of Nathan Bishop to put the hosts back on level terms.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with very few chances as both sides looked to grab the win. Stags’ best chance fell to George Lapslie who should have smashed the ball in from close range but the midfielder was denied following a brilliant save from Stone.

With 15 minutes to go, the hosts took the lead for the first time in the game through Kian Harratt. After pinball inside the Mansfield box, the substitute fired a shot goalwards which was well saved by Bishop. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, the ball fell right into the path of the forward who tapped it in from close range.

In the 88th minute, the Valiants secured the victory following a brilliant set play. The free-kick was swung to the back post with Jamie Proctor cutting the ball back to Harratt for the youngster to claim his brace and to score Vale’s third.

The hosts were well worth their win in the end and took their chances away when they were presented to them. The Stags have a lot to learn ahead of the clash against Stevenage at the weekend to avoid a third straight defeat and potentially set a new club record for consecutive home league victories.

Changes cause instability

Nigel Clough gave James Perch the opportunity to start his first game since his injury back in August. Alongside the veteran defender, Farrend Rawson was included in the backline, even though he required lengthy treatment against Tranmere Rovers last Friday, and Hawkins started at centre-back with Elliott Hewitt and John-Joe O’Toole finding places on the substitutes bench.

Mansfield Town lacked simple communication in the backline at times throughout the 90 minutes. The changes to the defensive unit somewhat disrupted the partnerships created and saw the whole squad in disarray, and at times, they looked like they were not on the same wavelengths.

The biggest talking point from the start of the game was that of the inclusion of  Rawson in the starting 11. After sustaining an injury against Tranmere a couple of days before the match, the defender was a doubt for the game and it looked highly unlikely that he would start.

However, the team news was announced and he was starting from the first minute which was huge surprise for everyone. Stags’ number six, alongside the rest of the defence, did not enjoy a fantastic game and having conceded three goals for the second game in a row, something needs to change before the amber and blues get punished even more for their poor defensive unit.

Oates scores his 10th goal of the season

The forward was back on the scoresheet once more with a fine finish that put the Stags in front midway through the first half.

A fantastic interception from Wallace saw the midfielder immediately distribute the ball forward as Oates looked to get past Nathan Smith.

He was able to do so with relative ease before charging down on goal, going round Stone and slotting the ball in from close range.

Oates will be confident that with 12 games to go this season, he can get close to reaching 20 goals for the campaign and helping Stags achieve promotion at the end of it.

Stephen Quinn a huge miss in the midfield

Without the experienced midfielder, Mansfield have only recorded one win highlighting just how important the Irishman is for the side.

An ankle problem following the Tranmere game is what kept him out of the clash against Vale and his desire to strive for greatness was sorely missed in the clash at Vale Park.

With Matty Longstaff also absent, the centre of the park was in spells non-existent and Clough will hope that his important cogs are back in the side for the clash against Stevenage.

Up Next

The Stags return to home comforts once more as they welcome Steve Evans’ Boro to the One Call Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It is set to be a hotly anticipated affair due to the new Stevenage boss’ affiliation with the amber and blues and the way he left the club near the end of the 2017/18 season.

Mansfield will be hoping to put behind them two abysmal performances and revitalise their form to remain in the promotion pack.

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