IF Alan Marriott – fitness and weather permitting – runs out to keep goal for Mansfield Town at AFC Wimbledon today, it will be his final appearance before he completes a year's service at Field Mill.

The goalkeeper made his debut for the Stags a year ago this week as they defeated Crawley Town 1-0 at home in new manager David Holdsworth's first game in charge.

So much has happened since the popular former Lincoln City shot-stopper, who this week agreed a contract extension until May 2012.

For a start, Mansfield have been rejuvenated from a side haunted by the prospect of a second successive relegation to one chasing promotion.

Along the way there have been plenty of ups and downs.

There have been impressive wins like the 2-1 victory over Stevenage Borough on the last day of last season, the 4-0 thumping of Crawley on the opening day of 2009-2010 and the 2-1 triumph over previously unbeaten Oxford United.

But there have also been disappointing defeats such as the 3-0 thumping at Histon in March, the 3-1 beating at Kidderminster in September (which would have been worse but for a Marriott penalty save) and the FA Cup and FA Trophy exit to Forest Green.

Yet whatever has come his way, the 31-year-old has taken it all in his stride, having recently been singled out by Holdsworth as his best Mansfield signing.

It is an experience 'he'Mazza' has enjoyed after a frustrating time at previous club Rushden and Diamonds.

"When I first came to the club there were a lot of new faces, a new manager and a lot of expectations," said Marriott.

"Since I have arrived, the manager has made it a lot more professional, in fact I would say more so than at any club I have been at before.

"I think we have reaped the dividends from that with the way we finished last season and also the start we have had in the first half of this.

"It is a fantastic club and that is reflected in the way the number of supporters they take to every away game – not many clubs do better at this level.

"It is a shame the team have not had a decent run of late but everyone has dips and you can't play well all of the time.

"We set the standards early and it has been a case of trying to live up to that."

Marriott has noticed the confidence in the camp dip a little as results have gone against them.

But the former Spurs trainee is hopeful the 2-1 victory over Cambridge United just before the turn of the year can spark a revival.

Marriott said: "The last few weeks have been tough – and a lot of the players' confidence has been knocked a bit and we have given away some sloppy goals.

"We have not been putting in good performances but it is not for a lack of trying.

"That is why it was so good to get the Cambridge win under our belt. Hopefully that will bring some confidence back."

A flu bug swept through the Mansfield camp either side of Christmas, with few in the squad escaping unscathed.

But Marriott insists that should not excuse poor results like Mansfield's FA Trophy exit at the hands of Tamworth.

"We have had some injuries and illnesses but we have probably got one of the biggest squads in the division," he said.

"I would like to think we have enough cover, enough people who have played plenty of games and at a good level to be able to cope.

"You can say that we have not had a settled side, but everyone in the squad knows their roles and responsibilities. It shouldn't be a problem."

Marriott is expecting new arrivals in the transfer window and feels it is essential to maintain the Stags' momentum.

He said: "If you didn't have competition for places then people would take their place in the side for granted.

"The manager is always looking to have variation in the team and that helps add balance to the squad."

Mansfield travel to Kingsmeadow tomorrow for the first time in their history.

And although the London club, Blue Square South winners last season, have done better away from home than on their own patch, Marriott is bracing himself for a stern test.

"Daryl Clare has played against them for Gateshead and he says they are a decent team and he thinks they are going to be up there," he said.

"No-one is under any illusions that it will be tough, I don't know what their stadium is like but they get some very good crowds and they are hoping to get back into the Football League.

"The best thing we can do is to get an early goal because that will quieten the crowd down.

"They are a new team and a physical team and they are carrying on from where they left off last season.

"I don't think it's a shock they are doing well because there is not much between the teams at this level.

"If you can get good goalscorers, as they have (Jon Main and Danny Kedwell) then that can make all the difference."