Mansfield Town v Harrogate Town: Everything you need to know about the Stags

Harrogate Town go in search of their first win in seven League Two outings when they visit Mansfield tonight (Tuesday).
George Lapslie in action for Mansfield Town during their recent draw with Colchester United. Pictures: Getty ImagesGeorge Lapslie in action for Mansfield Town during their recent draw with Colchester United. Pictures: Getty Images
George Lapslie in action for Mansfield Town during their recent draw with Colchester United. Pictures: Getty Images

Here's everything you need to know about the Stags ahead of this evening's contest.

The opposition

Mansfield currently sit 21st in the table having won just once in 13 outings thus far. They will kick-off the game five points behind Harrogate, who are 14th.

Stags manager Nigel Clough.Stags manager Nigel Clough.
Stags manager Nigel Clough.
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Don't let Nigel Clough's side's league position mislead you, however. The Stags are without doubt a team in form.

Following a poor start to the campaign which saw previous boss Graham Coughlan sacked, the club has won three out of four under their new manager. They are now unbeaten in six matches in all competitions.

They have lost less league games (4) than Harrogate (5), though three of those defeats came on home soil. They are yet to taste victory at Field Mill this term.

The Stags have conceded 18 goals in League Two, bagging 13 at the other end.

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Their shots-per-goal ratio in league fixtures stands at 11.5, significantly better than Harrogate's current total of 13.5 (according to www.whoscored.com).

Mansfield's pass completion rate thus far is 67.1%, identical to Town's 66.6%, but the Nottinghamshire outfit's disciplinary record is worse. They have picked up 19 yellow cards and two red, while the Sulphurites have been shown 17 cautions and suffered one dismissal.

George Lapslie and Harry Charsley are the Stags' biggest dangermen, according to the statistics. Both men have three goals and two assists to their name in all competitions.

Last time out

Mansfield drew 1-1 with Colchester United on Friday night, Nicky Maynard's 67th-minute strike cancelled out by a late equaliser.

Last five

Nov 20 - Colchester United (h) D 1-1

Nov 14 - Forest Green (a) W 2-1

Nov 10 - Scunthorpe United (a) W 2-1 (EFL Trophy)

Nov 7 - Sunderland (a) W 1-0 (FA Cup)

Nov 3 - Bolton Wanderers (a) D 1-1

What they said

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Nigel Clough: “I think it’s brilliant for the Football League to have this fresh blood coming in,”

“Teams getting into the league for the first time is wonderful for football. They had an incredible start, but I think things are naturally levelling off for them now.

“To get up those leagues and steadily build, it’s lovely to see. They’re very competitive.

“I think they’ve dipped a little in the last week or two, but that’s inevitable – everyone in the league will have those sorts of dips.

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“They’re very competitive and very strong on set-plays. They bring a good aerial threat and that’s something we’ll have to deal with.

“We’ll be as positive as we can. We’re at home, so we’ll try to take the game to Harrogate and create as many chances as we can."

Team news

The Stags have everyone available for Tuesday's game apart from full-back Joe Riley and attacking midfielder George Maris.

Previous meeting

The sides have never played each other before.

Bookies' odds

Mansfield 11/8

Harrogate 7/4

Draw 12/5.

Referee

Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire).