Reserves give Stags manager Paul Cox food for thought with Grimsby win

Cox has until 5pm on Thursday, 28th March to make any additions he feels necessary to his squad – and he is in talks with a couple of players.

But his second string yesterday showed him they are more than ready to step up to the mark if needed.

“I have got some massive decisions to make,” he said. “But yesterday was the best tonic you can have as a manager, and I don’t mean just winning a football match. It was more about their work ethic. You can’t coach that or instil it in players.

“It was seeing everyone play so well on an awful pitch, in awful weather in a reserve game, when it would have been very easy to just go through the motions.

“They have given me food for thought. That side could have started as my first team and, if we have any more games off, I may end up having to play two XIs at some stage.

“What I see between now and the deadline will tell me how hard I need to push to bring in fresh bodies.”

Centre half George Pilkington caught the eye in an uncharacteristic left back role and goals came from Matt Rhead (2), Ben Hutchinson and Chris Clements.