Captain's armband inspired Clements to fire Stags to victory

After only his second game as captain, he admitted he was likely to have to give it back to Lee Collins next week.

However, after an inspired performance, he said: “I think Lee Collins should be back next week, so I think he will take the armband back as he’s the club skipper. But I am enjoying every minute of it.

Click HERE to read match report

Click HERE to read new boss Steve Evans’ views

“I think as a captain you have got to be more vocal which has probably a downside of my game for a long time.

“With the armband it makes you speak more before games, during games, after games.

“As a captain you’ve got to help people on the pitch, whether that’s with your voice or how you play. So I believe I am just thriving on it at the minute.”

Stags won the game thanks to a three goal burst in 10 second half minutes after dominating the first half.

It was only the club’s third home win of the season and ended a poor run of one win in 11 League games which has seen boss Adam Murray part company with the Stags on Monday.

On an emotional afternoon under new manager Evans, Clements said: “I think we needed the three points we got today.

“We have worked this week on a high-energy performance and I think we showed that today.

“I thought we were very good in front of goal today.

“First half we had a few chances we could have been more clinical with, but getting three goals in the game we’ve got to be happy with.

“It’s been different this week with the new gaffer coming in.

“He’s not been able to do much as he’s only had a few days with us. He has been short and sharp and said that we won’t work long but we’ll work at a high tempo which we’ve done today.

“He says he is going to speak to us through the next couple of weeks individually and get to know a few players. Then he will take it from there.”

He added: “We dominated the first half, we just couldn’t get that goal. But we knew if we kept going it would come.

“We knew if we got one, they’d have to come out a bit more and we could exploit it and get behind them which we did. They had to come back out at us.”

“I don’t think I have ever scored two goals in a game in my life, so I was more surprised than anyone else to be honest. But I’m always happy to get on the scoresheet.

“The fact that it helped towards the win and getting us started as well, I am over the moon.”