The 3-2 win over Northwich Victoria was the third successive game that a decisive goal has been scored right at the death in a Stags game and boss Billy McEwan said: "One thing is for sure - people should not leave our games early!

• To watch a video slideshow of match action photos from the 3-2 thriller, click on the green play icon

"Three wins out of three at home is great. All credit to the lads for their efforts. I have nothing but praise for them.

"We mustn't forget this is a new squad and players will take some time to settle.

• Mansfield Town 3 Northwich 2

"I have got to be pleased with the progress made in such a short space of time. But I am under no illusions that we still have a lot of hard work ahead of us for the whole season.

"We are still well short of the levels I am looking for professionally. But I can understand that with the newness of the team.

"Ten points from five games is excellent."

Stags were in charge at 2-0 up at the break but Victoria hit back to level near the end before Stallard struck.

"It was a fantastic finish to the game," said McEwan. "We conceded a disappointing late goal at Barrow on Saturday but we did the same to Northwich today.

"We had chance after chance and I kept thinking 'come on, get it in, and kill them off'. But we just couldn't do it.

"All credit to Northwich. They battled on, got back in he game and made it difficult for us in the second half. So to win it was a relief. I am really proud of them."

McEwan was concerned that, for the second home game on the trot, Mansfield have threatened to let the opposition get something after Stags had been firmly in charge.

"We went through this against Kidderminster and it was something we spoke about at half time today," he said.

"But it seems it may be a kink in the armoury of this squad of players for some reason.

"I said before the game I wanted a clean sheet and I said it again at half time. But we didn't get it.

"We have to work on our defending. We will always make chances. We have to put more thinking into our game. We can't keep giving goals away like we are doing. That is just putting pressure on ourselves that we don't need. We have to defend better."

First half hero was Aaron O'Connor whose two goals in four minutes had given Mansfield a cushion.

"Aaron has not played a lot of football to be fair to the kid and is not match fit, but he came into the arena and got two goal," said McEwan.

"We were disappointed to lose Jason Lee and Michael Blackwood through injury but Aaron came in and has done well for us today."

After missing a crucial chance in the 2-1 defeat at Barrow on Saturday, today's match winner Stallard had several chances including a one on one with the keeper, but left it late before grabbing his fourth goal of the campaign.

"Mark Stallard had enough chances today to win a couple of game, but he did score us the winner," said McEwan.

"He is in there to miss them - I would be more worried if we were not creating chances for him. It is at the other end I am more worried and how we defend as a team."

McEwan said it was too early yet to say if Lee (ankle) and Blackwood (calf) will be fit for next weekend.

Squad players who need match sharpness will be able to get some under their belt when Burton Albion send a side up to Field Mill tomorrow (Tuesday) for a behind-closed-doors reserve friendly at Field Mill.