Having not won more than two games in succession since the end of January, Mansfield would have counted themselves fortunate to make the playoffs, particularly as they ended the campaign with successive draws.
Nevertheless, despite only claiming seventh position by a point, Nigel Clough’s team are now the marginal favourites for promotion courtesy of their performances against third-placed Northampton Town in the semi-finals.
There were times during the two legs when Northampton had their moments, but as soon Mansfield opened up an early two-goal advantage in the opening fixture, they generally controlled the tie.
The Stags are now on a six-match unbeaten run with two goals being scored in five of those matches, the only time they did not being when they were defending their aggregate advantage versus the Cobblers.
The fact that Mansfield are in their current position with leading marksman Rhys Oates having netted just once since March 29 highlights how the team have benefitted from the goals being shared around this group of players.
The same can be said for Vale with three of their players being in double figures without any of them having scored more than 12 times.
A statistic which sticks out heading into this fixture is that Vale’s last three wins have all come by 1-0 scorelines, with four defeats coming during that run.
You have to go all the way back to April 9 for the last time that Darrell Clarke’s team scored more than once in a game, but the Vale boss will not care having witnessed his team battle their way to some important results.
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Penalties were required to eventually see off Swindon Town in the semi-finals, Vale impressively fighting back having earlier found themselves trailing by a 2-0 deficit on aggregate after 68 minutes of the tie.
James Wilson has now scored in three successive appearances, and he will hope to continue that streak as Vale look to build on having already collected four points from Mansfield during the regular campaign.
