Challinor: Stags can go up!

FURIOUS boss David Holdsworth refused to talk to the media after Mansfield Town's weekend victory over Salisbury – but midfielder Jon Challinor insisted: "We can still go up."

The Stags boss was so livid after a supporter threw a season ticket at him at half-time, even though the team were 2-1 up, he chose not to comment.

Mansfield went on to win 4-2 with goals from Challinor, Jon Shaw, Kyle Perry and Rob Duffy.

They still trail the likes of Rushden, Luton and York in the race for the Blue Square Premier play-offs.

But Challinor says there is an air of confidence in the Mansfield camp and feels they are starting to gel.

"We do have to win a lot of our games, but we have to be confident of doing it and performances like that can only help," he said.

"Salisbury was a massive win for us and we are starting to work together as a team , because we always knew we had a decent squad.

"The team spirit is certainly there, character as well, and you need that in a successful team.

"We have not lost in four now and we have more home games to come."

"We have created a few chances in other games, but not clear cut chances like that, so it was very pleasing."

Challinor's strike was his first since netting on his debut against Eastbourne Borough back in November.

He said: "It's nice to get back among the goals because we can't just leave it up to the forwards all the time.

"I like to shoot but I haven't been getting many chances recently.

"This one did take a deflection, but it was on target, so it definitely goes down as my goal.

"It was important to get that first goal and it allowed us to take it on from there."

Challinor had picked up a leg injury in Mansfield's previous game with Luton and had to pass a fitness test to play.

He had to go off at the break after sustaining a fresh knock but hopes to be fit to face Tamworth.

"I didn't train leading up to Salisbury but it was okay by the time the game came round.

"But I took s knock on it, which I tried to run off and then another just before half-time, so the manager decide to pull me off.

"I'm hoping with a full week to get right I should be ready for the next game."