Mansfield Town eased to their first win of the season on Saturday thanks to first-half goals from strikers Danny Rose and Nicky Maynard.
The Stags came out on top in a scrappy game to take all three points after drawing their opening two league fixtures. The result left their hosts with one win and two defeats from their opening three matches after they were unable to capitalise on a bright start.
The win was a welcome boost after a stuttering start for John Dempster. The rookie boss hailed his first win as an EFL manager as the ‘perfect away performance’ when speaking to the Mansfield and Ashfield Chad after the game, adding: ‘We had a game plan – we gave the players a framework to work to and a freedom to work within it – and I thought to a man they were outstanding today.’
The result was greeted with joy by Stags fans on social media in stark contrast to the tense mood inside Field Mill on Tuesday night when Conrad Logan bore the brunt of supporter frustration during their Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Morecambe.
The experienced goalkeeper kept his place and a clean sheet as the defensive solidity Mansfield were renowned for last season returned.
The result and performance prompted many fans to ask where the critics were hiding after the Stags maintained their unbeaten start to another tilt at League Two promotion.
Here is a selection of their responses to the win on Twitter.
Where’s the moaners now 👀
— katie (@iamkatiee_) August 17, 2019
Good solid unbeaten start. Strikers scoring. Cleansheet. We move on 💛💙 not a bad point at newport was it 👀
— James Perrin (@JamesPerrinMTFC) August 17, 2019
Early doors , but after a stuttering season start…just outside the play off positions already. So signs indicating great promise to come. Well done " The Stags "…
now " Tally Ho."
Malc xxx— THE DRIFTER (@HugTheMalcMPFM1) August 17, 2019
Nothing more and nothing less would have done today ,maybe just maybe this win were improvements and give Stags fans a glimpse of a start of how impressive the side/ squad can play .Lers hope this comprehensive win boosts everyone but remembering its going to be a long season .
— Mr B (@MrGTB2) August 17, 2019
That’s better! #coys 🔶🔷
— Richard!⚽ (@Ding_RJ24) August 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/topgun1068/status/1162760446245527552?s=20
Let the love begin !! 🙏🏻👏👏👏👏👏♥️🦌🦌🦌🦌
— kingpower (@firebladedude) August 17, 2019
Quality, well done Dempster! After all the shit thrown at him and his side in the last few weeks, this must be sweet. Great result Stags!
— Ben Mason (@88BenM) August 17, 2019
