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MANSFIELD PREVIEW

Posted on: Wed 25 Jan 2012

Luton Town v Mansfield Town
Wednesday 25th January 2012, kick-off 7.30pm
Blue Square Bet Premier

Live detailed coverage on www.lutontown.co.uk
Live on Premier Sports TV
Live audio commentary on Hatters Player, BBC 3CR and DiverseFM

PRE-MATCH TALK

Gary Brabin: "It's going to be a tough game for us playing so soon after Monday's game but we'll deal with it. Mansfield are no mugs, they have some fine players who we will need to pay particular attention to. They've had some decent results on their travels this season and haven't lost many. They won at Wrexham earlier this season which is a result that speaks volumes. But we're playing well and full of confidence at the moment so we don't fear anybody."

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Mansfield boss Paul Cox: "Tonight, the pressure will be off us a little bit. We are going to a club where there is an expectation even higher than that experienced by ourselves. Of course we would love to win at Luton, but I have been in this situation a few times and you have to see the wood for the trees. You can keep an eye on other clubs, but what matters is that your own points tally keeps ticking over. We could lose at Luton and with other midweek results going against us, be further away from the play-offs."

TEAM NEWS

Hatters: Town boss Gary Brabin could again be without James Dance (ankle) and Keith Keane (hamstring) for the visit of the Stags. After coming through 45 minutes - and scoring against Hinckley in Monday's FA Trophy win, Amari Morgan-Smith is likely to be involved. Dean Beckwith (calf) and Shane Blackett (groin) are definitely unavailable whilst Charie Henry is now available after returning from his loan spell with Aldershot.

Stags: John Thompson will not be involved as he is spending this week at Lilleshall in a bid to recover from a neck and shoulder injury. Top scorer Matt Green picked up a knock in Saturday's 3-2 win over Hayes and Yeading, but should be fit to start.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Luton wins: 7

Draws: 9

Mansfield wins: 9

The Stags have the upper hand in the head-to-head meetings between the two sides with nine wins to the Hatters' seven. Mansfield's last victory at Kenilworth Road came in a 3-2 win back in September 2002 - their second win on Bedfordshire soil.

The Town have won the last two league meetings at Kenilworth Road, triumphing 2-0 last term and 4-1 in 2009/10.

There was drama the last time the Stags visited Kenilworth Road when both sides met in the semi-final of the FA Trophy. Mansfield took a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Kenilworth Road and the Hatters levelled the aggregate score when Lloyd Owusu thumped home.

Red cards to Claude Gnakpa and Alex Lawless at the end of normal time meant the Town had to play the whole of extra time with nine men. Just when it looked as though the Hatters would bravely hold out for a penalty shootout, Louis Briscoe scored the winner with two minutes left when knocking home the rebound after his penalty had been saved by Kevin Pilkington.

Danny Crow and Jake Howells at the final whistle.

Danny Crow's face says it all after the Town were denied a place in the FA Trophy by the Stags last season on their last visit to Kenilworth Road.

IN FOCUS

Mansfield Town

Manager: Paul Cox

Nickname: Stags

CLUB HISTORY

This is the Stags' fourth season in the Conference this summer, following their relegation from the Football League in 2007/08 which ended their 77-year stay among the 92 clubs.

Former boss David Holdsworth led the Stags to a ninthplace finish in the league, enjoying a fine home record but finding it difficult to earn results on their travels.

The club were deducted four points by the Conference the season before last for fielding an ineligible player in their opening two games of the campaign in which they won and drew.

The Field Mill faithful last tasted success when winning promotion along with the Town in 2001/02 finishing in third place earning promotion to the then Division 2.

They only lasted one season in Division 2 before relegation back to the League's basement division - only for them to lose in the Play-Off final at the Millennium Stadium against Huddersfield in 2003/04, their first season back in Division 3.

Last season Russell Duncan guided the Stags to the final of the FA Trophy - beating the Hatters in the semi-finals. However, a last-minute goal in extra-time saw Darlington lift the trophy.

Duncan left this summer with Paul Cox now at the helm.

Official website: www.mansfieldtown.net

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