Mansfield Town continued their push for a top ten finish in League One on Good Friday, whilst in League Two, Notts County’s hopes of finishing in the automatic promotion places suffered a set-back following stoppage time drama, and defeat.

In League One, away to Doncaster Rovers, Nigel Clough’s Stags claimed a valuable three points thanks to second half goals from Rhys Oates and Jon Russell, and in doing so moved within six points of the sides directly above, with games in hand.

The hosts created the first big chance of the game, Luke Molyneux striking the upright in the opening minutes, whilst Oates saw his effort deflected over the crossbar, from distance, midway through the half.

Early in the second half the Stags led when Frazer Blake-Tracy saw his drilled ball across goal redirected into the back of the hosts’ net by Oates for his tenth of the season; the lead was doubled fifteen minutes later when Russell collected a through-ball from George Abbott and, being one-on-one with home shot-stopper, loanee Thimothee Lo-Tutala, proceeding to chip him and into the net.

A flurry of changes, from both sides, punctuated the remainder of the second half though, with the visiting Stags holding out for a big, 2-0 win, that moved them with six points of Luton Town and Huddersfield Town (Stags have two games in hand).

Next up for Clough’s charges, the visit of his former club, sixth bottom Burton Albion, on Bank Holiday Monday (6 April) afternoon.

Mansfield Town – Liam Roberts, Kyle Knoyle, Deji Oshilaja, Ryan Sweeney, Louis Reed (Aaron Lewis, 91), Lucas Akins, Jon Russell (Nathan Moriah-Welsh, 81), George Abbott (Regan Hendry, 81), Frazer Blake-Tracy, Will Evans (Oliver Irow, 91), Rhys Oates (Victor Adeboyejo, 77)

Meanwhile, in League Two, Martin Paterson’s Notts County suffered a late defeat in their battle for automatic promotion.

Away to fellow promotion hopefuls, Salford City, all three goals arrived in second half stoppage time; Ryan Graydon gave the hosts the lead in the 92nd minute, Luke Browne equalised three minutes later, before Matt Butcher volleyed home a 96th minute winner.

Victory for Salford moved them level on points with both Notts County, and Cambridge United, as four points separate second to sixth, Cambridge United and Swindon Town flanking the three tied on 73pts.

Next up for County, they host third bottom Newport County on Bank Holiday Monday (6 April) afternoon.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc celebrations during a solid win for Mansfield Town.