By Matt Halfpenny of thisisnottingham.co.uk

David Holdsworth is delighted Mansfield Town fans are now looking up the Blue Square table rather than down it - even if it has sparked play-off talk.

All talk of the play-offs has been banned by the Stags boss, whose brief this season was to secure the club's status at this level.

But Saturday's last-gasp 1-0 victory over Rushden and Diamonds was a fifth win in eight games under Holdsworth.

And it is that kind of form that has supporters dreaming of a late push for the top five.

"I don't like saying the word, but why shouldn't the fans be thinking of it?" said Holdsworth.

"I want people to be positive and encourage us and cheer us on against Lewes this weekend, like they did at Rushden.

"I can only thank the fans who went down on Saturday. There were 400-odd but it sounded more like 4,000. They gave us tremendous support.

"They have had some tough times and if I can help them have better times more often than not while I am here then I will be happy.

"There has never been any thoughts about relegation from me - another word I don't like to use because I have never experienced it in my life."

After securing Mansfield's first win over Rushden, Holdsworth joked he had to touch of Jose Mourinho.

But he says there is still much to be done at the club, despite a third away win in four attempts.

He said "I'm the non-league special one! You dream of it when you come to a club, but you will find it's down to hard work.

"I will be working my socks off to keep things improving because I expect standards.

"I'm delighted with the victory and ecstatic for the players, although I know there is still a lot for me to do at the club.

"But we are making progress and we are going out and earning our rewards."

Mansfield won the game with an 89th-minute penalty from Rob Duffy - his third goal for the Stags.

"The good thing was that there was a queue for the penalty - it's pleasing to see people wanting it," said Holdsworth.

"Nathan Arnold wanted it because his young lady has given birth to a baby girl this week. But it is still a good end to a great week for him because he was magnificent in the second half.

"Rob took it very calmly. He dropped the shoulder and waited for the keeper to go and then slotted it in."

Holdsworth was impressed with the performances of a number of his players.

He said: "Ryan Williams came on and could have sealed a dream debut. He has got good feet, but he will learn about the discipline we have from thrown-ins.

"But he has only been here a couple of days and we are delighted to get him on board.

"Paul Mayo was outstanding and the centre halves were tremendous again.

"Alan Marriott had nothing to do for a lot of the game and then when he was called into action he did the job, which is the mark of a great keeper.

"That's why he can still play in the Football League. There are plenty of league keepers who are not as good as him."