Carlisle United hit form ahead of big six-pointer at Mansfield Town

The sides clash again at the One Call Stadium on Saturday in which looks to be a big six-pointer just over five months since Danny Rose and Nicky Maynard secured all three points in a 2-0 victory on 17th August.

The season has been a slog for both clubs ever since with Carlisle two points and two places ahead of 21st placed Mansfield.

But the Cumbrians' head coach Chris Beech has been cheered by two wins in four days - last weekend's 2-1 win over Walsall followed by a sparkling 4-1 success away to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night that saw them leapfrog Stags.

Ex-Stag Nathan Thomas hit a hat-trick for them past Stags loanee keeper Conrad Logan at the New Lawn as Carlisle won back to back league games for the first time in over a year with Stags still unable to achieve that feat this season so far.

Beech said: “As ever with this division this will be a completely different test for us on Saturday.

“Mansfield have some very good players and they will be unhappy with their league position.

“We're at a stage of the season where everybody needs points for their own reasons and it's no different for both teams this weekend.

“We know the threats they have because they have strikers and attacking players who can score goals and create good opportunities, but we'll prepare properly and, as always, it comes down to what we do.

“For us, this week has been about recovery and preparation. It's been a tough period but the players have responded well and they've got the rewards for the hard work they've put in.

“I still want more, and it's important that we now add consistency to that hard work.

“We've made ourselves harder to beat, which is really pleasing, and now we want to continue to add the points to go with these good performances we're seeing.”

The Cumbrians have added a mix of youth and experience so far in the January window with former Notts County striker Lewis Alessandra, 30, in on a short-term deal and Blackpool left-back Nick Anderton, 23, on an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee, as well as youngsters, Rotherham United forward Joshua Kayode, 19, Derby defender Max Hunt, 20, and Wolves midfielder Elliot Watt, 19.

Stags have won their last three homes game against Carlisle and four out of the last six, drawing the other two.

The last time Carlisle won at the One Call Stadium was back on Saturday, 24th April 2004 when they could have clinched a place in the play-offs but were made to wait as United won 3-2.

Stags came back from 2-0 down to level through a Liam Lawrence brace, but Carlisle scored again and Lawrence missed a stoppage time penalty kick.