Clough effect continues as Mansfield Town claim first league win of season at Forest Green Rovers

Mansfield goalscorers George Lapslie (L) and Harry Charsley head for the warmth of the changing room at half time of the Sky Bet League Two match between Forest Green Rovers and Mansfield Town at The New Lawn. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Nigel Clough effect has struck again as rapidly improving Mansfield notched their first League Two win of the season at the 12th attempt.

The Stags triumphed at Forest Green to register their third straight success in all competitions since Clough took the managerial reins.

The Stags, fielding an unchanged starting line-up from the one which triumphed brilliantly at Sunderland in the FA Cup, got off to a dream start at the New Lawn.

Only six minutes had passed when Stephen McLaughlin crossed into the box aiming for George Lapslie.

The midfielder fired in an initial effort which was saved point-blank by Luke McGee, but Lapslie was on hand to joyfully ram home the rebound.

Shortly after it was Lapslie who was in the thick of the action again, teeing up Nicky Maynard as he lashed a shot narrowly off target.

In the 20th minute, Mark Cooper's hosts went close to a leveller.

The Stags had 'keeper Marek Stech to thank for a terrific save as he kept out Odin Bailey's precise strike.

Rovers then threatened again as Ebou Adams nodded inches wide as he leapt superbly to meet Jake Young's cross.

Those misses were punished by the confidence-fuelled Stags in the 35th minute.

Harry Charsley guided a shot sweetly into the corner after being picked out by Jordan Bowery.

Rovers went close with the first opportunity of the second period when Young forced Stech into another decent stop.

At the other end Maynard charged in to meet Kellan Gordon's cross, only to then head straight at McGee.

Maynard then thought he'd notched a third for the Stags, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Bailey halved Rovers' deficit with five minutes to go as he slotted crisply past Stech, but the Stags comfortably held on for their precious victory.

Forest Green: McGee, Godwin-Malife, Wilson (Collins, 46), Kitching, Adams, Winchester, Cadden, Moore-Taylor (Stevens, 76), Bailey, Young, Matt (Richardson, 76). Subs not used: Thomas, Sweeney, Stokes, Whitehouse.

Stags: Stech, Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning, Maris (O Clarke, 31), Lapslie, Charsley, McLaughlin, Bowery, Maynard (O'Keeffe, 82). Subs not used: Stone, Sweeney, Cook, O'Driscoll, Reid.

Referee: Brett Huxtable.

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