Stags' boss Steve Evans dubbed his side's excellent 2-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon as 'heroic' after they came back from 1-0 down to finish 2017 in style.
Wanderers, who hadn't lost in 10 matches at Adams Park, started brightly and took the lead after seven minutes when striker Adebayo Akinfenwa headed home Dominic Gape's cross.
Stags then grew into the game before displaying a superb second half display in which they completely dominated the match, and goals from winger Alfie Potter and striker Lee Angol ensured they moved level on points with the final play-off place.
And the gaffer, who was forced into making changes to his side due to an illness in the camp, highlighted the heart and desire of his players during the second half.
"Some of them heroically went out there today and performed like that so we'll have a rallying call tomorrow," the Stags' chief said.
"I probably 'lost it' a little bit at half-time and this group of players have not seen that very often, and they don't deserve to see it because they work incredibly hard.
"I think we were hiding a little bit behind maybe not feeling so good, maybe because they were on top of us, and we were feeling sorry for ourselves a little bit.
"I probably demonstrated quite loudly and quite passionately what you have to do to win football matches, so I would like to think that contributed.
"You know what sparks it [the turnaround]? The heart of the players, the desire of the players.
"We've got some good players; we've got leaders, we've got men, we've got some good technical players, we've got a real mix but the players sparked it because they showed a desire to win in the second half and that was always tough because they're playing against good players."
Chairboys' frontman Bayo Akinfenwa opened the scoring early on but was marshalled superbly in the second half by centre-half pairing Krystian Pearce and Rhys Bennett, who the gaffer says showed real bravery against a physical frontman.
"We've got some good players; we've got leaders, we've got men, we've got some good technical players, we've got a real mix but the players sparked it because they showed a desire to win in the second half and that was always tough because they're playing against good players."
"Bayo didn't have a good game in the second half because he got competed against. He's a wonderful player, every manager would love to have him and he was still the spark at the end as to whether they could get an equaliser or not, but I think my centre-backs were big and strong and were brave [in the] second half.
"You going to have to be brave; Bayo's size and his sheer power and his strength [causes problems]. I've got four or five lads in there in with cut noses, cut lips, cut eyes, cuts round the neck, all because Bayo's so strong. Not because he's dirty, he's just so strong and that's how he plays."
Skipper Zander Diamond and frontman Danny Rose were forced off in the first half but the gaffer revealed that their injuries aren't expected to be serious.
"Zander got the smash in the face from the free-kick, it's right in his 'coupon' and if it's broke his nose it'll make him better looking! The big fella was just not feeling right afterwards, as you wouldn't be after a free-kick that was struck with some real venom.
"Danny Rose got a knee right in the side of his pelvis, so it's nothing major for him either. We'll see how they are tomorrow."
Supporters will be able to view the gaffer's post-match interview on iFollow Stags later this evening.
