The Bluebirds lost 2-1 at leaders Cambridge last weekend. But that was their first defeat since losing at home to Stalybridge on 26th January - form which saw them promoted to the BSP via the Blue Square North play-offs.

And they made an explosve start to life at the higher level with a 3-0 win over fancied Oxford and a 4-3 shoot-out success at Altrincham.

"Not losing for so long shows they have kept their momentum and we are under no illusions how hard it will be," said boss Billy McEwan.

"But we are going there for all three points, not just one. That doesn't mean to say we will go there all 'gung ho' and cavalier.

"We have got to be solid and hard to beat. Then if we play the football we are capable of I know we can win it.

"We certainly have to do better there than we did at Ebbsfleet, especially in the first half. We had to work very, very hard in the second half to get a point.

"Not having a midweek game has given us the chance to work on things so it has been ideal.

"We have worked on organisation, discipline and our shape which I hope will now be better than last week.

"As you can see in our three games we are still well short of what we need to do to succeed.

"We didn't start very well against Kidderminster and couldn't raise it. It was out third game in a week and we were alays on the back foot.

Stags go into the game in second place with Barrow seventh. But McEwan said: "I don't place any importance on the table until we've had about eight games.

"Players have to adjust to new team mates and got properly match fit.

"We wil improve. But the bottom line is all about points and I do get a bit self-critical at times as I know we can do better individually and collectively."

Stags are heading up to Cumbria tomorrow morning, training in Kendal and staying overnight.

Mansfield will then be hoping for a bumper August Bank Holiday Monday crowd when Northwich Victoria visit Field Mill.

The Vics finished 19th last season, have not won any of their first three this season, and are expected to struggle again.

• McEwan has one player nursing an injury who has had two days off training this week, but trained again today. The club will see if there is any reaction before he is passed fit for Saturday. As ever, McEwan would not name the player in question.