Rose at the double for Stags at Morecambe

Danny Rose bagged a brilliant brace as Mansfield claimed their first away win in nearly two months, with a 3-1 victory over Morecambe.
Mansfield Town's Danny Rose celebrates  his early goal - Photo by Chris HollowayMansfield Town's Danny Rose celebrates  his early goal - Photo by Chris Holloway
Mansfield Town's Danny Rose celebrates his early goal - Photo by Chris Holloway

Midfielder Ben Whiteman was also on the scoresheet as the impressive Stags made it two wins in a row for the first time this season.

Paul Mullin netted a first half equaliser for the Shrimpers, but the result was never in doubt as the Stags proved more clinical.

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Former Barnsley and Bury hitman Rose gave the Stags a welcome early lead and added a second just after the half hour mark to restore the visitors advantage after Mullin had levelled for the home side.

But a goal from Whiteman six minutes before half-time gave the Stags a welcome two-goal cushion – and they never looked back from then as they kept their play-off hopes alive.

Victory was the Stags first away victory since beating Barnet 2-0 away on Saturday 4th February at the Hive Stadium and their first away win in five games.

Stags boss Steve Evans made one change to his side which beat Carlisle United 2-0 last weekend for the away clash, with defender Kyle Howkins in for Krystian Pearce, who missed out with an ankle injury.

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And the visitors were also without skipper Lee Collins who was unavailable for the trip to the Globe Arena because of a hamstring injury.

But despite those setbacks it was the visitors who started the better of the two sides and they rewarded with the opening goal after only four minutes.

Alex MacDonald whipped the ball into the box and Rose was hand to fire home on the half-volley.

It was the perfect start, but having given themselves an early lead, Evans’ men found themselves brought back down to earth when the home side equalised two minutes later.

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And it was an error from Howkins which contributed to it, with the defender failing to deal with a long ball which allowed Mullin to lash home with a sweet left foot strike.

MacDonald rifled over for the Stags as they pushed for a second goal before both managers were told to calm down after a heated exchange on the touchline.

Then the Stags second goal game when Rose collected a ball from Whiteman and fired home.

It got even better for the visitors when Whiteman netted before the break with a clinical finish.

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Rose could have had a hat-trick early in the second half, but Morecambe keeper Barry Roche denied the centre-forward with a smart save.

Mal Benning was also thwarted by Roche as the Stags pressed for more goals, while striker Shaquile Coulthirst fired over.

Evans’ men were good value but they couldn’t find the back of the net despite dominating possession and defending well to frustrate the home side.

Coulthirst could have scored three minutes from the final whistle, but his left-foot shot flew wide of the post.

But it was a good job done by the Stags as they picked up back-to-back wins in their fight to get into the play-offs with seven games remaining.