"Things are looking brighter, but we've got to keep it going," said manager Billy Dearden.

"We have got to get a result at Shrewsbury which will make things a lot better. We need to continue this mini-run.

"Shrewsbury are a different type of team and are always a big, strong outfit who play very direct.

"We are not a big side and we must deal with it as best we can and not allow them any free headers.

"But we are stronger than them in different areas. We have a lot of pace in the team which caused problems last Saturday. If we play right and to our strengths then we will cause a lot of teams problems.

"We are looking forward to going down to their new stadium which I've not visited yet.

Favourites

"Shrewsbury started the season well and we were one the favourites to go up. But they are having a bit of a bad spell just now which anyone in our league will do eventually unless you have big squads like Peterborough and Milton Keynes."

The Shrews got a decent 1-1 draw at Bury last Saturday. But that followed four straight defeats, three at home where they conceded nine goals in those three games alone.

Gary Peters' men are six matches without a win and have only won once in nine.

In contrast Stags are on a rare high after beating Notts County, chalking up their first clean sheet in 20 games in the bargain.

Dearden added: "We are on a big run now of a win and a draw! Hopefully now we can get cracking and got off the bottom as soon as possible."

"Looking at the gate, there were a few more of our fans turned up on Saturday but we have got to keep them there by getting results for them.

"The supporters who have watched us week in, week out, especially away from home, have been brilliant and I am sure they will be behind us again on Saturday.

"We know we have got to get more in at home and we will do that by wining football matches and entertaining.

"It is difficult to entertain when you are down there. It's a lot easier when you are winning matches and top of the league. We just have to do the best we can."