Off the back off their Easter Monday comeback win at Doncaster Rovers, the Mariners return to Blundell Park on Saturday with Play-Off chasing Mansfield Town visiting Cleethorpes in Sky Bet League Two.

Late goals from Niall Maher and George Lloyd saw Paul Hurst’s men complete a second-half turnaround at the Eco-Power Stadium to clinch Town’s first victory in Doncaster since 1989 while also delivering a response to the Good Friday loss against Hartlepool United.

This match is the reverse fixture of last month’s trip to the One Call Stadium, an entertaining encounter that ended goalless.

Team News

After making six changes to the starting eleven against Doncaster, manager Hurst has been able to rotate his squad throughout the hectic fixture list in recent months while also showing an element of depth to his squad.

Midfielder Gavan Holohan, absent on Monday after picking up a knock against former club Hartlepool on Good Friday, has returned to training this week while Tom Dickson-Peters is also back in contention after illness. Their returns give Hurst a full-strength squad to choose from.

Mansfield Town

The visitors arrive at Blundell Park one place outside the Play-Offs and off the back of a frustrating draw on Easter Monday at home to bottom-placed Rochdale when victory would have seen them into the top seven.

Nigel Clough’s side, however, are unbeaten in six with the second match in that sequence being the March draw against the Mariners. In that time, the Stags have picked up three further draws as well as two wins.

Ahead of the match, midfielder George Maris will be assessed by the visitors after being substituted in the first half of their match against Rochdale. Rhys Oates – the visitors’ top scorer and impressive in the reverse fixture will also be assessed along with captain Ollie Clarke.

Previous Meetings

The Mariners have faced the Stags on 52 previous occasions, winning 17 compared to Mansfield’s 21 with the others ending in draws.

This match will be the third time Town have faced Mansfield this season with Hurst’s men winning a Papa John’s Trophy tie 2-0 in September with Otis Khan and Danilo Orsi on the scoresheet. You can watch the highlights of the match HERE.

The last time the Mariners defeated Mansfield in a league clash was in January 2020 when a Mal Benning own goal gave Town a 1-0 win at Field Mill.

Referee

Tomorrow’s referee is Neil Hair who will be officiating his fifth Mariners match. He will be assisted by Mike George and Mark Cunliffe.

Coverage

Tomorrow’s match is available for live streaming on Mariners TV to overseas supporters. Match passes are available for £10 HERE.

UTM