Five things we learned from Mansfield Town’s defeat at promotion rivals Port Vale
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1: Nathan Bishop is learning on the job
The young Manchester United loanee goalkeeper has been brilliant for Stags this season but had a costly off night.
His decision-making and kicking were below his usual standards and he knows his poor dive that allowed Vale to level the game was a huge turning point with his side in charge.
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Hide AdThe home press box were even saying Bishop did not look good enough to play at League Two level.
But that is the life of a goalkeeper. You are under the microscope much more than outfield players as far as mistakes are concerned and the youngster is still learning on the job.
2: Keiran Wallace took his chance to show his quality
After six substitute outings, Keiran Wallace finally had the chance to show Stags fans what he can do with a full debut in the heart of midfield – and he took that chance with a man of the match display.
Although still short of full match sharpness, he was involved in some of Stags' best moments at both ends of the pitch.
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Hide AdHe kept his passing simple while his lovely through ball sent Rhys Oates on his way to put Mansfield ahead.
And at the other end of the park he produced two crucial challenges, making a point blank range block and stretching to cut out a dangerous low cross at the near post with Vale players queuing behind him to finish.
A thunderous tackle on the touchline also underlined his hunger to impress.
3: Stags players took tackling criticism to heart
Nigel Clough told his players they were out-muscled at Tranmere on Friday night and he would have happily seen then pick up a yellow card or two had they put in the tackles they should have done.
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Hide AdHis players took those words to heart last night and put in some bone-shaking challenges – some right on the edge of legality.
Ryan Stirk, Ollie Clarke, Keiran Wallace and Oli Hawkins all put in steely tackles with Stirk, Hawkins and Farrend Rawson earning bookings.
4: Key moments change games
Mansfield Town put themselves in the driving seat last night as Rhys Oates' latest coolly-taken goal had them ahead midway through the first half with Nathan Bishop having had little to do at the other end.
But this exciting game swung on two moments – both going against the visitors.
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Hide AdFirstly Bishop dived over what should have been a save from James Wilson's low angled drive and Vale were undeservedly level.
Then George Lapslie was presented with a golden chance from eight yards out and the goal at his mercy to restore Mansfield's lead but somehow allowed ex-Stags keeper Aidan Stone to produce a superb save.
Inevitably the visitors were punished for that as Vale sub Kian Harratt grabbed a late brace after entering the fray on 76 minutes.
5: Double defeat is no disaster
Mansfield have had a magnificent run with some superb performances this year and these first back to back league defeats since early September are not the end of the world for their promotion hopes.
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Hide AdIt was inevitable there would be a wobble at some stage – it's even happened to runaway leaders Forest Green Rovers.
But with three games in hand on most clubs still, Nigel Clough's men still have their destiny in their own hands with automatic promotion still in their sights.
Tranmere and Port Vale away in five days was a big ask and they fell short after a magnificent 14-game unbeaten run
But there were some key absences last night with star man Stephen Quinn out injured, alongside Matty Longstaff, who had scored three in the previous three and Lucas Akins.
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Hide AdElliott Hewitt, who has done well at right back, was given a breather and that meant several players coming in who were short on regular action and full match sharpness that can only be gained by playing.
Hopefully, Clough's men will take their disappointment out on struggling visitors Stevenage on Saturday and set a new club record of 11 successive home league wins.