Stags continue title chase with home clash against managerless Macclesfield Town

Mansfield Town edge towards their date with destiny as they take on managerless Macclesfield Town at the One Call Stadium tomorrow night knowing a win or draw will take them top of the BSBP with just three games left.

The 4-0 win at Barrow on Saturday means Stags know they will be crowned champions if they can take another eight points from four games, though seven could be enough on goal difference with which they are currently level with leaders Kidderminster Harriers, though have scored more goals.

Visitors Macclesfield, relegated last summer, have not won in five games which has cost them a place in the play-offs and manager Steve King his job and offer Mansfield a fantastic opportunity to snatch top spot with less than two weeks of the season left.

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Stags boss Paul Cox knows his side’s fate is firmly in their hands with the two games in hand on Harriers and said: “It is an important week, but it’s not do or die as we still have next week too. They are all important games now and it’s getting exciting.

“It was important to bounce back with a win after Wrexham. You could tell in the build-up that the lads wanted to put that right and it was testament to them to win 4-0 away at a side that are fighting for their lives.

“The next four games will ultimately decide what happens at the end of the season. I can only praise the lads with what they have done to put us in this position in a division with some big ex-Football League clubs in it.

“We have given ourselves a chance, that’s all. Now if we go through the motions or get above ourselves we will get felt and end up with nothing.

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“If we keep the same mindset, hunger and focus, we will give ourselves a really positive chance.

“We have a numerical advantage with the number of games to play and I read that Steve Burr (Kidderminster boss) is hoping we will slip up. We have to win those games in hand and that boiled down to the players.

“But they do look focused. There was a good feeling on the long journey home from Barrow and they were in high spirits.

“Sometimes you need a bit of luck or the ball to bounce for you. But we are really looking forward to these last four games.

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“We are hoping that the stadium will be full tomorrow and for the last home game with Wrexham as our home form has been excellent and the fans have made so much difference, getting behind the boys, especially when we really needed them.”

Stags have no injury worries, though in recent games, Cox has tweaked the starting XI.

He said: “Everyone came through Saturday fine. Adam Murray had a tweak in his calf at Wrexham but just strapped himself up and played. There is not time to be injured or tired now - this is the most enjoyable part of the season and we want to make sure we give it our best shot.

“If everyone is fit I have to name my strongest side for that game. Anyone not 100 per cent fit enough knows there are players fresh and hungry, ready to come in.”