Coleman’s delighted with three in a row
MANAGER John Coleman deservedly made it three wins from his first three matches in charge of Stanley, but he admitted he was given a helping hand by referee Scott Mathieson.
The official, who correctly awarded the tenth-minute penalty from which Stanley captain Luke Joyce struck the winner, controversially red-carded Mansfield captain Adam Murray eight minutes from time.
Murray was dismissed for an innocuous challenge on Rob Atkinson as he tried to rescue a ball running out for a goalkick.
Both managers described the decision as harsh but agreed Stanley deserved the win that took them into the top half.
Coleman said: “For the first half hour, we played like a team that was top of the league. There was a swagger and belief about us. To be fair to Mansfield, they reacted and probably shaded it for the last hour.
“We rode our luck a bit towards the end and, on another day, we wouldn’t have won the game, but we must remember we are a work in progress.
“I can’t remember the last time I had back-toback away wins.We have a good bunch of lads with good characters and a good work ethic.”
Mansfield manager Paul Cox said:“We were poor in the first half.We looked lethargic and poor. It’s probably the first time this season a few harsh words have been said in the dressing room.
“We improved in the second half and huffed and puffed. It felt like we were encamped in their half for the full 45 minutes without putting them under any pressure.
“Their penalty was a penalty, but there were a few strange decisions in the second half when Adam Murray got sent off.”
Stanley squandered three chances in a terrific opening five minutes before their breakthrough. Straight from the kick-off, Marcus Carver’s shot was deflected through to recalled keeper Sascha Studer.
Ninety seconds later, Carver raced clear on to Sean Maguire’s pass and shot narrowly wide. Maguire was again the provider in the fifth minute as Kal Naismith’s side-footed effort was beaten away.
Stanley made their early pressure pay with a penalty immediately after surviving strong appeals for a Mansfield spot-kick when wing-back Kieron Freeman appeared to be pulled down.
Carver raced clear on to a long clearance and was clipped by the advancing Studer – Joyce fired the penalty into the bottom left corner.
The Stags switched to a 4-3-3 formation at halftime and carved out chances for sub Reggie Lambe and Murray, but Stanley hung on.