Mansfield Town

Manager Paul Cox will be without several players for tomorrow’s match at Accrington Stanley.

Midfielder Jamie McGuire serves the last of a two-match ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards this term, whilst forward Ben Hutchinson, who has been troubled by a hamstring problem for over a month, is expected to miss out.

Defender Lee Beevers underwent an operation on a shoulder injury last Friday, which will rule him out for the rest of the campaign. Paul Black has also been hampered by injury in recent weeks.

Goalkeepers Alan Marriott and Ian Deakin are still struggling, so Lewis Price, signed on an emergency loan from Crystal Palace before last Saturday’s match with Rochdale, is likely to start between the sticks.

The Stags could welcome back midfielder Anthony Howell, who has just completed a two-match suspension.

Our team head to the Store First Stadium searching for their fifth straight league victory.

Last Saturday’s 3-0 thumping of second-placed Rochdale moved us to within six points of the Play-Off zone in Sky Bet League Two. 

Martin Riley opened the scoring on 71 minutes, before late headers by Matt Rhead and Ryan Tafazolli sealed maximum points and an emphatic win. You can watch highlights by clicking here.

Meanwhile, Accrington, as they have done on so many occasions this term, snatched a vital point in dramatic late circumstances.

James Beattie’s team looked set to taste defeat as they trailed going into stoppage-time at high-flying York City, but Peter Murphy’s stoppage-time strike earned them a 1-1 draw.

In the current Sky Bet League Two, the Stags occupy 10th position with 56 points, whilst Accrington sit in 17th spot with 50 points.

Accrington Stanley have proved to be something of a ‘bogey’ team for us in recent seasons, as we haven’t beaten them in five attempts in the Football League.

Our previous two visits to the Store First Stadium have both ended in defeat.

In January 2007, we were beaten 3-2 despite leading at half-time through goals from Barry Conlon and Stephen Dawson. In September 2007, Paul Mullin’s goal midway through the first half consigned us to a 1-0 defeat.

Earlier this season, in the reverse fixture at One Call Stadium in December, we led 2-1 going into injury-time courtesy of two goals from John McCombe. However, Stanley emerged as 3-2 winners thanks to last-gasp strikes by Kai Naismith and James Gray.

Our last victory over Accrington was a 4-1 success back in March 1961.

Our complete record against Stanley is as follows: Played 48, Won 20, Drew 11, Lost 17.

Mr Richard Clark will referee tomorrow’s match at the Store First Stadium. He will be ably assisted by Mr Mark Astley and Mr Barry Gordon. The Fourth Official is Mr Mark Duncan.

Supporters should pay at the turnstiles on matchday at the Store First Stadium. No tickets are available to buy in advance from One Call Stadium.

Away supporters will be housed in the Coppice End (uncovered terrace) and the Whinney Hill Stand (covered seating) at the Store First stadium. Up to 1,800 supporters can be accommodated in these areas.

£15 Adults

£12 Senior Citizens (Over 65)/Disabled*

£6 Students/Under 16s/Carers*

£1 Under 12s (accompanied by a full-paying adult)

Supporters eligible for a ticket at a discounted price will be required to provide proof of age/status at the turnstiles.

At the end of the M66 motorway, join the A56 until you reach the Rising Bridge roundabout. Take the first turning onto the A680 (signed Accrington), and stay on this road for around three miles, passing the police and fire stations on the left-hand side. Follow the ring-road dual carriageway around the town centre, through the pelican crossing and three sets of traffic lights. At the fourth set of lights, opposite ‘The Castle’ pub, turn right to re-join the A680. Follow this road up the hill for one mile and take a right turn into Livingstone Road. The Store First stadium is approximately 100 metres on the left.

Accrington railway station is about one mile away from the Store First stadium. Leave the station and walk down the slope towards the large viaduct roundabout in the town centre. Take the Milnshaw Lane exit at the opposite side of the roundabout alongside the Perry's Peugeot dealership. After approximately 100 metres this road becomes Whalley Road. Stay on the left-hand side, up the hill, and follow Whalley Road for about a mile, passing the hospital, a set of traffic lights and then a mini-roundabout. Take the next right after the mini-roundabout junction into Livingstone Road. The stadium is approximately 100 metres on the left.

Parking is available on the streets surrounding the Store First stadium and, for a small donation, on land adjacent to the ground which belongs to a local amateur side. There is no parking at the stadium itself.

Follow us on Twitter (@MansfieldTownFC) for comprehensive pre-match coverage and minute-by-minute updates throughout the match.

If you aren’t travelling to the Store First Stadium, you can hear full-match commentary on Stags Player (online) and Mansfield 103.2 (local radio only). You can also hear full-match commentary in the company of other supporters in the Sandy Pate Sports Bar, which is open from 9.00am. 

Mansfield 103.2’s ‘Stags FM’ show begins at 1.00pm. To subscribe to Stags Player, click here.