Stags can't afford York defeat – Marriott

ALAN Marriott has warned defeat for Mansfield Town in tonight's clash with York City could end their Blue Square Premier play-off hopes.

The Stags are ninth after the 0-0 draw against Tamworth on Saturday that saw the players booed off the pitch at Field Mill.

If they are to finish in the top five, they need to make up ground quickly on their closest rivals, with the Minstermen among those sides.

But while a win would be a massive boost for Mansfield, Marriott insists it is just as important not to lose.

"I was saying to Jon Challinor about the Luton game and the same can be said about this one – it's a game we have to make sure we are not turned over in, even if we don't win," he said.

"It we get beaten, we are pretty much out of the equation but at least a point keeps us still in there.

"If we were to lose, we are not completely out of it because we still have a lot of games against the top teams and can influence how things pan out.

"But it would make it very tough for us because York are one of the teams we are looking to overhaul."

Marriott classes Mansfield's 3-0 defeat at York on Boxing Day as one of their worst of the season.

He expects City to provide another stiff examination, even though their form has dipped since then.

Marriott said: "York put on a fantastic team performance on that day, worked very hard and were well-organised.

"The manager said then we had to aspire to that level and I think a few people have taken that on board.

"They will be out to take us out of the equation but we can't let that happen."