A 1-0 defeat at Forest Green Rovers last weekend, despite dominating the game, sucked Mansfield back into the mire.

So as Stags - with just one away win all season - prepare for their ninth away game in 13 matches, boss Billy McEwan called for calm and unity.

But he also warned that some of his players were running out of time to persuade him not to wield the axe in the January transfer window.

"There is a long way to go yet, we are not even halfway. Some people may be panicking but we are not," he said.

"It is a thin line between success and failure and, apart from the FA Cup at Chesterfield, only once this season have we lost by more than a single goal and that was at Torquay. That's how tight it is.

"If Jason Lee's header had not hit the post and been scooped away by the keeper, or we'd scored the penalty or Mark Stallard's shot had not hit the keeper who didn't know much about it, then it might have been different at Forest Green last weekend.

"We just need a break. A litle bit of luck.

"It's a difficult time for everybody but we have to be united in the battle. It's not just about the players, it's about the fans too. We all have to support each other through thick and thin.

"Eventualy we will build this into a smashing club which players will want to join and fans will be proud to support.

"You need experience at this level and that is what I have. I know what it's all about and I have every faith in my own ability.

"Without experience we would have no chance. I have been in the mire before. I have tasted success and failure and I know which I like the best.

"Our time will come again here, though at the moment we are suffering a wee bit.

"This is not an easy league. When Dave Penney went down with Doncaster the following season they only just survived in this league. He couldn't stop the slide. But now look at them."

He added: "We need mental courage to go out there and want the ball - there is no room for anyone to hide.

"The players are all very aware of the situation as I have spoken to them about it this week.

"I love them all to bits and want them to do well. And you could never accuse any of them of not trying. But it's all about the end product and time is running out until the transfer window and they have to make my mind up for me. It is up to them - they have the chance.

"I am thinking all the time about January and how I can improve this squad.

"We can't carry on as we are doing - we have to do better."

Stags are hoping to utilise Bournemouth's Academy facilities on the way down to Weymouth on Friday to break up the journey as they would then be just 45 minutes from their overnight hotel.

"It is a long way down there which is a problem in this league - there are so many long trips," said McEwan.

"So to go overnight is the right and proper way to prepare and we are grateful we can do it. It doesn't guarantee victory but it gives them a bit more rest than getting up at the crack of dawn."

It is yet another away game for road-weary Mansfield and McEwan added: "After Salisbury we did have another home game lined up against Altrincham which was called off. It would have been tough but it was certainly winnable and might have given us a bit more confidence before two tough away games.

"Weymouth have had a lot of stuff happening off the field but it doesn't seem to be affecting them on the field. At home they are one of the league's top goalscorers, though they do concede a lot too."
There is a possibility he may be able to bolster his squad this week ahead of the Weymouth match.

But he warned: "I have been speaking to a club about a player this week but it's not that easy to take them on loan.

"You have to have a reason - it has to be an emergency which doesn't help us and if the player wants to come and his club agree then we have to ask the league if we can do it."

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