Nigel Clough said Mansfield’s hard-earned 1-0 home win over bottom club Forest Green was one of the most important results of their season as they leapt back into the top three.
Tom Nichols’ 20th-minute header earned stuttering Stags a first win in four games to reignite their promotion dream, despite their injury problems, and wiped away memories of Saturday’s home hammering by Crawley.
“It was one of the most important results of the season, especially with seven defenders out at the start of the game,” said Clough.
“To keep a clean sheet with two centre forwards in the back four was a tremendous effort by everybody.
“Saturday was a one-off and bad timing to have it at this particular stage of the season, but everybody was back on it tonight. The intensity was magnificent.
“It was a reaction to Saturday when we were all hurting after the game.”
Rovers defended well but Nichols broke the deadlock when he was picked out at the back post by Hiram Boateng’s cross and managed to loop a header over goalkeeper Vicente Reyes.
For much of the game it was all Mansfield, but home keeper Christy Pym did have to claw a Charlie McCann free-kick from under his crossbar just before half-time and just before the end made a great double save to deny Emmanuel Osadebe and Kyle McAllister after a Rovers break.
“You’re always worried at 1-0 and Christy Pym has had to come up with two magnificent saves,” said Clough.
“I think it’s the most difficult thing for a goalie when you have had nothing or very little to do for 88 minutes.”
Rovers boss Steve Cotterill was delighted with his side’s showing, despite a fifth defeat in six outings.
“I thought we were excellent tonight against a team that are probably going to be up there and get promoted,” he said.
“We definitely played well enough to get at the minimum a draw tonight.
“The season has been tough. But, given the start with this group of lads, I think they’ve come a long way in a short space of time and were excellent tonight.
“We wouldn’t have been able to come here and do this tonight a couple months ago when we got beaten 4-0 at home by them.
“There was no chance of that happening tonight.”
On the goal, Cotterill added: “I think Vinny was done by the flight of the ball. I don’t know if the wind has played a little part in that, slowed it up in the air and he’s not quite taken it.
“But at the end of the day Vinnie’s been magnificent for us and he’s won us games this season, and between now and the end of the season he’ll do the same again.”
Bayer Leverkusen 5-2 Heidenheim: Hat-trick hero Schick inspires five-star comeback
A hat-trick from Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick inspired the Bundesliga champions to come from two goals down to beat Heidenheim 5-2 on Saturday.
The emphatic triumph saw Xabi Alonso's side extend their unbeaten league run to nine matches, moving them up to fourth but still nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
However, Leverkusen found themselves behind inside the opening 10 minutes when Niklas Dorsch was teed up by Marvin Pieringer inside the box.
Heidenheim doubled their advantage soon after through Mathias Honsak, who danced his way beyond three defenders before finishing into the bottom left corner.
But two goals in two minutes from Exequiel Palacios and Schick drew the hosts level, with Leverkusen able to take a hold of the contest after the interval.
Schick notched his second of the game seven minutes after the restart to put Leverkusen ahead when he brilliantly flicked Florian Wirtz's cross beyond Kevin Muller.
The Czech striker completed his hat-trick with a header in the 71st minute, with Granit Xhaka sealing the win with a curled finish into the far left corner.
Data Debrief: Patrik hero
Ahead of kick-off, Leverkusen were dealt a huge injury blow with in-form striker Victor Boniface potentially ruled out until next year, but they needn't have worried.
Schick grasped his opportunity with both hands, putting on an impressive display and ending the game with more shots on target (four) and more touches in the opposition box (13), while also accumulating a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 1.37 to Leverkusen's 2.05 total.
He has now scored three or more goals in a Bundesliga game on three occasions for Leverkusen, with only Ulf Kirsten (seven) having done so more times for the club.
Fulham 1-4 Wolves: Classy Cunha stuns Craven Cottage
Matheus Cunha scored two goals and assisted one as Wolves stunned Fulham with a 4-1 victory at Craven Cottage, making it back-to-back Premier League wins for the visitors.
Alex Iwobi's fantastic long-range curler put Fulham ahead in the 19th minute but Cunha – a bright spark in a so far demoralising season for Gary O'Neil's men – poked home a 31st-minute equaliser.
Cunha turned provider as Joao Gomes put Wolves ahead early in the second half, with the Brazilian duo later trading roles when Cunha added his second with an astonishing finish from the edge of the box.
Fulham were forced to finish the game with 10 men due to Joachim Andersen sustaining an injury after they had used all their substitutes, and Goncalo Guedes came off the bench to add a fourth for Wolves.
The victory lifts them outside the relegation zone on nine points, while Fulham drop two places to ninth, four adrift of the top four.
Data Debrief: Clutch Cunha ready to lead Wolves' survival push
Cunha will justifiably grab the headlines in the coming days after a superb all-round display at Craven Cottage. His opening goal calmed the visitors' nerves before the break as a deft touch and finish ensured the away side went in level.
However, his link-up play in the second half really caught the eye, with a sharp pass to tee up Gomes and a late goal that took the game away from Fulham.
A debate between which of his two goals was better underlines just how impressive he was against Marco Silva's team. He has a total of 10 direct Premier League goal contributions so far this season (seven goals, three assists), meaning he has been involved in half of Wolves' strikes.
He also has 26 goal involvements in his last 29 Premier League starts, scoring 17 and assisting nine. If Wolves are to survive, he will hold the key.
Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton: Ten-man Seagulls hold out to end Cherries' home streak
Ten-man Brighton maintained the pressure on the Premier League’s top four by holding out for a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth.
The Seagulls scored early in both halves, with goals from Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma sealing the points at the Vitality Stadium.
Just four minutes had elapsed when Joao Pedro put Fabian Hurzeler’s side in front, tucking away the rebound after Kepa Arrizabalaga could only parry Georginio Rutter's fierce drive.
The Brazilian then turned provider in the 49th minute with a delightful throughball to release Mitoma, who slotted home.
Brighton had to play the final half an hour with a numerical disadvantage after Carlos Baleba was sent off for a second bookable offence, and Bournemouth pulled one back in stoppage time through David Brooks.
Antoine Semenyo then rattled the crossbar with the final kick of the game, as the visitors just about held on to move level on points again with Chelsea and Arsenal, who they trail on goal difference.
Data Debrief: Buoyant Brighton build on momentum
Having come from behind to beat reigning champions Manchester City before the international break, Brighton built on that momentum to prevent Bournemouth from winning four successive Premier League home games for the first time in their history.
Joao Pedro played a starring role once more with another goal and assist, meaning he has now been directly involved in eight goals in his last nine league appearances.
The Seagulls have now collected 13 points since the start of October, with no other side registering more during that time.
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