Tom Nichols’ headed goal on 20 minutes was enough to give the Stags maximum points and move them back into the automatic promotion spots in Sky Bet League Two.
The points were earned despite a makeshift back four, with centre-forwards Lucas Akins and Jordan Bowery doing excellently in the defensive line to keep the much-needed clean sheet.
When asked if this was one of the most pleasing victory of the season, the manager told iFollow Stags, “It was certainly one of the most important.” There were seven defenders out at the start of the game, and keeping a clean sheet with Lucas and Jordan in the back four required a huge effort from everyone.
“Lucas, after getting beyond the first After five to ten minutes, I was comfortably comfortable. Jordan appears to be as at ease at centre-half as anyplace else. It was a no-mistakes night, meaning you couldn’t make a mistake.
“Our football was excellent and daring. We stayed on the ball, continued probing, and scored the crucial goal.
“Saturday was a one-off [at home against Crawley]. It was awful timing to have it at this point in the season, but everyone was back on it tonight.”
Nichols’ looping header proved to be the winning goal, and Nigel stated, “He knows exactly what he’s doing.” He flies exceptionally well given his size. It appears to be going over his head, and he simply hops off his feet and heads it back over the goaltender, making it extremely tough for the goalie to scramble across. Hiram did an excellent job with his cross.”
Stags may praise custodian Christy Pym for producing a top-class double save in the second-half after a rare Rovers’ charge forward.
“He’s been brilliant all season,” Nigel stated. “I believe it is the most hardest thing for a custodian to make two saves like that when he has got little to work with. “Good goalkeeping.”
Stags have returned to the top three in the league ahead of Saturday’s trip to MK Dons.
“It means it’s in our hands and it’s still in our hands, irrespective of what happens at MK on Saturday, which is very important,” Nigel told the BBC. “If the worst happens on Saturday and we don’t get a victory, we can still win our last three games. We are more than capable of accomplishing it.
“It looks like it’s going to go to the wire and we’ll do our best of getting a positive result [on Saturday].”
