Deefender Luke Jones enjoying his run in a settled Mansfield Town side

Ahead of tomorrow’s tough trip to Luton Town, Jones said: “It is good to have a settled back four. Defenders like to have a run of games together so they can get to know each other. It gives you a more solid base at the back and you can build on that.

“I had a frustrating period this season about halfway through when I wasn’t playing for whatever reason. But I kept my head down and looked for the next opportunity that came along.

“We have a lot of good players here. I got my opportunity and have tried to grasp it with both hands. I have enjoyed my recent run of games and settled into the team.

“You have go to be right when you are out of the side as you never know when your opportunity might come.”

Stags began a spell of three away games on the trot in eight days with a 1-0 win at Hyde and Tuesday and Jones added: “It was a difficult game and we didn’t play our best football. These are the games you have got to just push over the line and it was still three points.

“It wasn’t pretty and was a bit hairy near the end, hanging onto a lead. But it was a professional performance.”

Mansfield now face tough trips to managerless clubs Luton Town (tomorrow) and neighbours Lincoln City on Tuesday.

Jones said: “They are both difficult games this week. With three away games in row, it was important we got off to a good start at Hyde and got some points on the board.

“We can’t think about the Lincoln game until we have got Luton out of the way.

“Luton having no manager can go either way. Sometimes players will go out wanting to impress whoever is coming in to make sure they are in his plans, but it can also cause uncertainty. Players can worry about who is coming in next and worry about things they shouldn’t be worrying about on the pitch.”