IT started out as a bit of fun but the casual bet struck between Matt Somner and good friend Gary Silk has yet to raise a smile for either player.

The Mansfield Town duo share plenty of positive characteristics out on the field that has won praise from boss David Holdsworth, not least their strength in the tackle, determination and positional awareness.

Unfortunately, they also share the less enviable trait of struggling to find the back of the net.

Both men have scored just once for the Stags since signing on the same day from Notts County in the summer of 2008.

Somner bagged his in a 3-1 win over Eastbourne Borough early last season while Silk struck a week later in a 2-1 defeat at Crawley.

How either of them would love to have the potency of a Rob Duffy or Jake Speight in front of goal after they struck a 2009-2010 close season wager.

The winner, they agreed, would be the one who got to five goals first. If it was meant to inspire the pair to new heights, it hasn't quite had the desired effect, with neither yet off the mark.

At least midfielder Somner can still laugh about it.

"I always get a lot of stick about not being able to score from the gaffer and Holmes (Gareth Holmes) in training," he said.

"I do like to have a shot when I get the chance and I have had quite a few efforts this season. But they always seem to end up going over the bar!

"Silky and I had a little bet with each other at the start of the season to see who would get the most goals because neither of us are known for scoring.

"We said whoever got to five first would win, but it's fair to say it's just not happening at the minute.

"I know I'm more of a defensive midfielder and that's really my job but it would have been nice to have one by now.

"I'm hoping there is one just around the corner and I can get at least one before the end of the season. That might still be enough to beat Silky!"

But tonight's game at Stevenage Borough is no laughing matter for Mansfield as they look to bounce back from the dismal 2-0 home defeat to Gateshead at the weekend.

The Hertfordshire side are joint top of the Blue Square Premier table and are the only side to have won at Field Mill this season. They came from 2-0 down, at which point the Stags had Kyle Perry sent off, to claim a 3-2 victory.

Not only that, but Graham Westley's men are still unbeaten at their own Broadhall Way Stadium this season and are looking to recover from their unexpected defeat to Tamworth at the weekend.

Somner said: "We have massive motivation against them after what happened at our ground.

"People say that turned their season around, but I think they would have done that anyway.

"We were doing fantastically well against them before the red card in that game because we were 2-0 up and had two good chances to put the game out of sight."

Last season, Stevenage reached the play-offs and won the FA Trophy with a big contribution from top scorer Steve Morison.

He has since moved on to League One Millwall, yet his former club have retained their strong form, if not done even better.

"It doesn't surprise me how well they have done even without Morison because they are always up there," said Somner.

"They have a good manager and he always gets the squad in the right shape with some very strong players. You can't rely on just one player and they have shown that."

Waiting to face his old club again is Derby-born Chris Beardsley, who has twice been on Mansfield's books.

He netted the first of Stevenage's three goals in north Notts in September and will be out to prove a point once more.

Somner said: "We are confident we can compete with them and we believe we can be the first team to win there this season."

Don't put you money on Somner scoring the winner, but a victory really would be massive for Mansfield.