Match report: Forest Green 1 Mansfield Town 2

MANSFIELD Town went top of the Blue Square Bet Premier thanks to a 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers in the rain at the New Lawn last night.

The victory was a club record ninth consecutive win in the league.

In a scrappy opening to the game, the Stags had looked out of sorts – and boss Paul Cox made an early change to replace Colin Daniel with Louis Briscoe.

But, minutes later, the visitors went ahead against the run of play when Lindon Meikle's shot from 18 yards out took a big deflection off Forest Green's Eddie Oshodi and crept into the bottom right corner of the net in the 30th minute – the goal being given as an own goal.

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Stags keeper Alan Marriott then pulled off a fine stop, before Briscoe's fizzing shot was turned around for a corner.

Moments before the break, John Dempster had a header cleared off the line as Cox's men went in 1-0 up.

That lead was doubled soon after the break as Matt Green slotted a nice through ball to play in Lee Stevenson and he calmly netted on 47 minutes.

Forest Green hit the bar and had a series of good chances as they pushed for a response and pulled a goal back from James Norwood on 87 minutes and, in the end, Stags were made to hold on for the win.

Mansfield line-up: Marriott, Dempster, Jones, Beevers, Jennings, Murray, Stevenson (Howell 64), Chapman, Daniel (Briscoe 27), Meikle, Green (Rhead 75). Subs not used: Sutton, Wright

Attendance: 1,109 (166 away)

Mansfield Town's upcoming league clash at Tamworth on March 30 has been made all-ticket for visiting supporters.

The Stags have received an initial allocation of 800 tickets. Should the club manage to sell these, approximately 400 further tickets will be available.

Former Mansfield Town manager and player, Stuart Watkiss, has left Stockport County by mutual consent.