Round two as Mansfield Town square up to Northampton Town for second time under Graham Coughlan

The Cobblers were boss Coughlan's first opposition after taking over as manager in December when they drew 1-1 at the One Call Stadium.

Now, 14 games later, assistant boss Joe Dunne said: “Northampton were our first opponents when Graham came in and it was a tough game.

“We expect another tough game at Northampton, so we just have to prepare ourselves.

“We think our performance levels are good at the moment. We think we are becoming more consistent. So we go there with confidence we can give them a really good game.

“Fitness has improved and we are also starting to see players express themselves a bit more in games.

“Northampton have been pretty consistent in their performances and they are in a position to challenge for promotion.

“They have good strengths and they are also coming off the back of a good result.

“We just want to keep playing at the moment as we feel we're getting close to where we need to be.

“The more games we play the more we feel results will come.

“It's a big challenge of course, but it's one we will embrace and go there with a positive attitude.”

Northampton have seen big changes in playing personnel under Curle, but he looks to have turned their fortunes around for the better.

“They made wholesale changes and he's managed to get a formula there that works. He has done it before,” said Dunne.

“They are now in a position at this business end of the season that they need to pick up wins and results – and home games are vital.

“But we showed at Cheltenham that we carry a threat. We are creating chances in every game and feel we are getting stronger as a unit defensively.

“We have enough about us to be able to cause Northampton one or two problems. But, of course, we need to be ready for the strengths of Northampton.”

Cobblers boss Curle said they would not be underestimating Mansfield, despite their lowly position.

“If you look at their squad in isolation you would probably say it’s a squad that should be in the top seven,” he said.

“They shouldn’t be where they are but for whatever reason it hasn’t quite happened for them this season.

“Graham Coughlan has come in and he will be putting down his fundamentals and a platform in place looking to next season.

“They are a dangerous team because they have still got a lot of good players and they still have a lot of the players who got them near the top of the league last season.

“I like to win games at home because that’s where the majority of our fans see us, but in saying that I want to win every game we play.”

Stags could welcome both Alex MacDonald and Matt Preston back into the squad after injury, leaving only Kellan Gordon on the treatment table.

“The positive thing is we're getting the treatment room emptied out this week,”! Said Dunne.

“We expect Alex MacDonald to get some grass time this week which is encouraging, the same with Matt Preston, which is another positive.

“I would think they'd be in contention for the matchday squad if they come through a tough week.

“The key thing with having those players back means it will add to the competition.

“Kellan's process is unfortunately a bit slower. It's important we give him the best time possible to be able to showcase his talents to us as, unfortunately, he is a player we've not yet been able to see anything of.”