Nigel Clough: Mansfield Town boss delighted to have Notts County showdown

Nigel Clough's Mansfield side are the only unbeaten side left in League Two

Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough says the return of local rivals Notts County to League Two has delighted more than just Magpies fans.

Notts won the National League promotion final in May to reclaim their 'world's oldest football league club' status.

Mansfield face Notts on Saturday in the first Nottinghamshire derby since 2019.

"There were a lot of people in football with no connections with Notts who were disappointed they went out of the league," Clough said.

"Everyone is delighted that Notts are back in the league.

"They are one of those clubs that people have a lot of affection for, being one of the oldest or the oldest club."

Saturday's Nottinghamshire derby will be the first Clough has been involved in for three decades.

He played at Meadow Lane when Nottingham Forest beat the Magpies 4-0 in the last season that Notts were in the top flight, in 1991-92.

There were more than 21,000 fans at the ground that day, and a capacity crowd of nearly 19,000 are expected at Meadow Lane this time for the fourth-tier fixture.

"You are talking about 19,000 for a League Two game, a local derby," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"It should be a good occasion.

"It's the same three points, or point or whatever, that doesn't change, but you know from the outside that everyone wants to win it that little bit more."

Mansfield's goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions and kept them within four points of League Two leaders Notts, going into their eagerly anticipated match.

"It will be our toughest challenge for lots of reasons," Clough said.

"They have had an outstanding start and continued the momentum they have had in the last couple of seasons."

Asked what the mood is like at Mansfield, who are the only side in England's top four divisions yet to suffer defeat in all competitions this season, Clough answered: "It's good, as you would expect being 15 games unbeaten.

"But there is a little frustration that maybe turning two of those draws into wins would have us level with Notts at the top."

Before Mansfield can turn their full attention to the Magpies, they have their opening EFL Trophy group game against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday.