Manager Nigel Clough credited Mansfield’s ‘clinical’ performance in front of goal as Stags triumphantly beat third placed Carlisle United 4-0 at Brunton Park.
First-half strikes from Ollie Clarke, Alfie Kilgour, Lucas Akins and Elliott Hewitt helped to secure three crucial points in Cumbria.
Mansfield are now five games unbeaten in the league as their gap to the final automatic promotion place shrunk yet again.
Nigel was delighted with his side’s attacking display and their ruthlessness in front of goal.
“I thought we were magnificent tonight to get that sort of result,” he told iFollow Stags after the game.
“We were very clinical in the first-half, we finished our chances. Second-half we looked after our lead, still we were a threat [in attack]. [It] would’ve been nice to get another [goal] but not to be too greedy [as] we’d have settled for this [result] at the start of the evening.
“We scored good goals and put our chances away. That’s all it is, somebody putting their chances away when they come along. The first goal is always important and I thought it was a superb cross from Quinny [and] what a great header from Ollie Clarke.”
On what Mansfield’s great display was down to, he said: “Good everything, good preparation.
“We struggled with [selecting] the team a little bit. We didn’t know whether to bring a couple of pairs of fresh legs in because of the efforts that went in on Saturday [in Stags’ 2-0 home victory over Gillingham].
“But, having played so well on Saturday we thought we’d stick with the majority. The only change we had to make was George Maris who missed out [today] with a sore achilleas.
“[The performance was] similar to Saturday, no mistakes, everybody did their jobs and that’s why we got the result that we did.
“[It was] probably the best result [of the season so far]. I’m not sure about the best performance, but when you win 4-0 away to third place in the league, it’s hard to argue with that. In pure football terms we have possibly played a bit better.”
The gaffer concluded with an update on the squad’s fitness.
He said: “Quinny [Stephen Quinn] got one [a knock].”
“Ollie Clarke came off at half-time with a calf [injury]. [He suffered] a kick on the back of his calf and I didn’t think it was worth risking him at that point.
“Elliott Hewitt was doubtful before tonight, he’s got a whack on his knee.
“Kieran Wallace [got] a slight head injury, but he was very good and hopefully he’ll be all right for Saturday.
“We just need to continue [our strong run of form], starting at Tranmere on Saturday.
“There are no wild celebrations or anything like that [from us]. [It was] just another job done tonight, there’s another 16 games to go. 48 points [are left to play for], get as many of those on the board as we can and then see where we are.”
