Mansfield Town boss wants players to put on some performances from now until the end of the season.

Stags head into an Easter double-header at home to Orient and away to Exeter City on the back of four draws in a row.

And the Mansfield manager is keen for his team to stretch the unbeaten run and show what they can do.

“We want to make sure we are safe first and to get to the 50 points marker, that is the aim,” he said.

“We have had 17 draws this season. If we turn less than 50 per cent of those into wins then we are very close to automatic promotion.

“That is how close it is and how close we are. Let’s put some good performances on in the final games and show how close we are to it.

“We take a lot of encouragement into the games., We have played most of the top teams in the last month and Saturday was another good gauge for us.

“We feel we are not too far away from the top teams with how we have played against them.

“We were a bit disappointed with a point at Tranmere and we know we are not too far away.

“It's just getting the final moments right on both penalty areas that is costing us.

“We know we are playing well and creating chances, the stats back that up. We just need to improve the final ball and to keep our concentration defending.

“We had chances against Tranmere, they did as well as it was an open game, but we didn't make enough from our good play.”

Stags will be boosted by having midweek break for the first time in 10 weeks, with Clough saying it offered vital breathing space.

“It gave us extra time to prepare for the busy time over the weekend,” he said.

“It is extra breathing space after some very congested weeks which we were in need of.

“It is good to have that little breather. Those that have played were in need of a break and the gap will help people coming back from injury to work their way back in.

“I’m proud of the players for coming through the congested fixture period, the ever presents in that have done incredibly well.”

Clough confirmed loan signing Oliver Sarkic has returned to Blackpool and is out for the season due to his hamstring injury.

“His hamstring injury is worse than we feared and he is out for the season,” added Clough.

“It was touch and go whether he would need an operation as it was close to a ruptured hamstring.

“It is a big blow for him and us. We saw little glimpses where he did really well. It is a shame we won’t see more of him.”

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