Forest Green 1-2 Mansfield

Mansfield top the Blue Square Bet Premier after a ninth successive win at the expense of fellow promotion challengers Forest Green Rovers.

Lindon Meikle's shot was deflected in to give the visitors a first-half lead, and Lee Stevenson doubled it shortly after the break.

James Norwood hit the bar for the home side before he found the net with a late consolation.

The Stags lead Wrexham, who host Luton on Saturday, at the top by two points.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Forest Green Rovers manager Dave Hockaday told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

"The second goal proved to be the killer, but we still had a chance to get back in the game and at least draw.

"The first goal was cruel because it's going well wide and it gets deflected in. At the start of the second half we just gave them a goal and so from nothing they're 2-0 up.

"In the second half we just piled forward and we really should've at least drawn the game. We've rattled the crossbar and that just about sums up the last six games, where we've played really well.

"At the moment we're just finding it difficult. We have to work hard to create the chances and then we're just not putting them away - we give them it and they put it away."