Mansfield Town under-18s end the first month of 2021 with the visit of league leaders Scunthorpe United on Saturday morning.
The Stags will look to put right their performance last time out against Notts County, and end this tricky run of home matches on a high.
Since the turn of the year, the young guns have recorded a 3-1 victory over third-placed Burton Albion, in addition to last weekend’s loss against second-place County.
This trio of January home tussles concludes on Saturday when table-topping Scunthorpe are the visitors, with the Iron sitting two points ahead of County at the top.
Like the Stags, they also come into the game on the back of a defeat after fourth-placed Rotherham consigned them to just their third EFL Youth Alliance loss of the season.
That result ended the Iron’s five-match win streak, stretching back to the first week of December.
Despite Scunthorpe’s unrivalled record, the youngsters pushed them all the way in their previous meeting at Brumby Hall.
The Stags took the lead after two minutes when Jack Deakin headed home a cross from the right.
But the hosts would answer back with three unanswered goals, including a goal of the month nominee from midfielder Joey Dawson.
That was not the end of the contest though, as Deakin benefitted from another cross from the right seven minutes from time to bring up his brace.
Despite setting up a tense final few minutes, the youngsters could not find a third goal to earn a point from the encounter.
The young Stags will look to put that right in posting a positive performance when they pass the midway point of their season on Saturday at The RH Academy.
Saturday's match will kick off at 11am and will take placed behind-closed-doors.
