A long trip up North tonight see’s Mansfield Town take on Carlisle United in League Two as the nineteenth placed Stags still look with one eye over their shoulder at those below them, facing a top three team just four points from leaders Newport County, who are very much gunning for promotion themselves.

Mansfield will give a late fitness test to James Perch whilst the only other player missing is Joe Riley (his namesake however will be in opposition), George Maris, Nicky Maynard and Andy Cook who all picked up knocks at the weekend should all be available for selection.

Carlisle very much in form under their Manager Chris Beech with the side winning their last three matches have former Notts County striker Lewis Alessandra in attack, Mansfield since the departure of Graham Coughlan have lost just once in eleven with five wins and five draws in all competitions.

Stags Manager Nigel Clough stating after the draw at Grimsby on Saturday “It’s probably the poorest we’ve played, and we’ve come out with a point away from home.”

“We looked a little bit leggy and not as sharp as we have in recent weeks. With that in mind, it was really important not to lose.”

In-form Carlisle are set to be a much tougher nut to crack than a battling Grimsby but Clough, confident having seen his side come away with results at Forest Green and Cambridge this season said that “If we play at the sort of levels we have done, we are capable of getting a result”.

The match at Brunton Park kicks off at 7pm tonight with home fans in attendance, the game for those not allowed to travel will also be aired live on iFollow for a small subscription fee of £10.

*Main image @officialcufc former Magpie Lewis Alessandria scoring at the weekend for Carlisle.