Stags' goalscoring centre-half Krystian Pearce hopes today's 4-1 win over Grimsby Town builds momentum ahead of Tuesday's match against Wycombe Wanderers.
Pearce added the hosts' second goal and saw another effort deflect in off Mariners' defender Karleigh Osbourne, in addition to frontman Lee Angol's brace of penalties.
Reflecting on the game, he said: "I think in the first half it was a tight game. We got into the second half and got the second goal and started to calm down and play a bit of football.
"From there we were disappointed not to keep the clean sheet."
Today's skipper also reaffirmed that automatic promotion is the Stags' goal and hopes this victory can start a run of good results.
"The gaffer spoke before the game and said we need to start winning games and today was the start of it and hopefully we can go on a run and get in the top three."
The former Torquay United man was also adamant that he scored a brace and that his strike was going into the net before taking a deflection.
"It was bending towards the goal and it got a little touch on it which helped it in."
"It was bending towards the goal and it got a little touch on it which helped it in," he joked.
"I'm not sure they're going to give it me but I'm claiming it."
Pearce believes that there is strong competition for a starting place but insists that he thrives under pressure and wants to keep performing at his best.
"I'm just trying to do everything right and keep my place in the team. There's a lot of competition for places so the standards gone up this season.
"When I got my chance I tried to perform as best I can and I want to keep performing.
"David Mirfin's been excellent and hopefully we can keep our partnership going and keep clean sheets."
Frontman Lee Angol scored two spot kicks in today's victory after Stags had previously missed three, and Pearce was pleased to see the striker's kicks hit the back of the net.
"Well they [the penalties] both went in and that's all that counts, as long as it hits the back of the net I don't care what happens."
Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view Pearce's post-match interview.
