A trip to Walsall is up next for Mansfield’s under-18s as they take on the Saddlers in their second Youth Alliance Cup group match on Saturday (11am).
The Stags lost 2-0 in their first Group 3 match against Burton Albion, but a strong showing in their last outing against Scunthorpe United will give them hope against an in-form Walsall.
The Saddlers compete in the Youth Alliance League North West division and currently top the table after four wins from six games.
Mansfield’s youngsters will need to win to be in with a chance of advancing to the knockout stages, with only the first placed team from the three strong group progressing.
Stags' striker Jack Deakin will be looking to add to his brace against Scunthorpe, with Saturday’s opposition coming into the game off the back of successive wins over Bolton Wanderers and Accrington Stanley.
The two teams last met in December 2017, with goals from Nyle Blake, Riley O’Sullivan and current Stags' number 36 Aiden Walker securing a 3-0 victory for the amber and blue.
A fierce encounter saw Mansfield’s young guns take the lead after just two minutes, with forward Blake racing onto a clearance to coolly slot past Ethan Dowe in the Walsall goal.
Fellow striker O’Sullivan doubled the lead just after half-time, pouncing on a loose ball to drill the ball home and make it 2-0 to the Stags.
Walker put the result beyond doubt with 15 minutes remaining, as the centre-back rose highest to meet a corner kick and made no mistake from one yard out to wrap up the points.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 11am but will take place behind closed doors.