Riley warns Stanley - we’ve not forgotten last season

Late goals by Stanley in both games saw Stags drop three points at home after two stoppage time goals saw a 2-1 win turn into a shock 3-2 defeat while away from home Stags seemed to have a win in the bag until they were held 1-1 by a stoppage time penalty.

“They took four points off us last year when we should have taken all of them,” said the Stags defender.

“We have not forgotten those late goals last season. The most important thing is we beat them on Saturday.”

Mansfield also go into the game as the last side yet to draw this season in all five divisions.

“It’s quite unusual to have not drawn yet,” said Riley. “But our points tally looks a lot better as we would rather win one than draw a couple. It’s been a solid start to the season and, if we can turn a few of the defeats into draws, it will be even better.

Stags also need to quickly put last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Stevenage behind them.

“It was a bad day at the office,” he said. “To lose two early goals was a massive shock to the system and not like us at all. Those things do happen sometimes, but it wasn’t good enough from us and it put us on the back foot straight away.

“The manner of defeat wasn’t great. But it was only one loss and we need to bounce back on Saturday with a win. Every time we have lost game this season we have bounced back and we need to start putting a run together.”

Riley is enjoying a run in the side with little competition for his place with three other central defenders on the treatment table.

“All these big, tough centre halves are dropping like flies,” he smiled. “But it’s just the nature of the game. You do pick up injuries. I just have to get on with it and do my job.”