Harrogate Town v Mansfield Town: Sulphurites in need of a result on home soil

Harrogate Town ran out 3-0 winners the last time Mansfield Town visited Wetherby Road. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The Sulphurites beat Colchester United 2-1 on Saturday to record a third consecutive away victory, but have lost each of their last three home fixtures.

Unbeaten Mansfield are the visitors to the EnviroVent Stadium this Tuesday evening, and although they currently sit sixth in the League Two standings, Harrogate’s manager says that three points has to be the aim.

"What’s important about Tuesday night is that we continue where we left off on Saturday, because it was a great win for us on the road,” he said.

Sulphurites boss Simon Weaver has seen his side lose their last three home matches.

"But now we need to set the record straight at home, regardless of the opposition. Another away win alleviates the pressure and we now come back home, and what we want to do is excite the crowd.

"We know, and the fans know, that it’s a huge challenge against a side who are on a good run home and away with an experienced line-up and experienced manager.

"We are excited about a night game under the floodlights, we want to get on a good run at home to carry the support with us, but we have to execute the plan better against top opposition than we did against Stockport last time we played here.

"We didn’t let ourselves down performance-wise, but this is another chance to pitch ourselves against a top opponent, who will probably expect to be in the promotion mix come the end of the season, so if we can pull it off then I am sure that the roof will lift off.”

Town, who head into Tuesday’s fixture 14th in the table, have history on their side having never lost to the Stags since they were promoted to the Football League.

The Sulphurites have won five and drawn one of the six previous meetings between the sides and did the double over Nigel Clough’s men last term.

Last season’s corresponding fixture ended in a 3-0 victory for Harrogate, with Luke Armstrong (2) and Alex Pattison netting before half-time.

It remains to be seen whether centre-half Rod McDonald (ankle) or winger Abraham Odoh (hamstring) will be fit enough to play any part on Tuesday night, though one man who definitely won’t be involved is defender Joe Mattock.

The Sulphurites confirmed on Monday that the out-of-favour former Rotherham United man has joined National League Hartlepool United on a one-month loan deal.