Win at Stevenage was ‘the perfect away performance’, says Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray

But he also warned against complacency as Stags moved back into the play-off spots with a third clean sheet in four games.

“I am really happy. That was the perfect away performance,” he smiled.

“We came here with a game plan. We obviously did our homework on them.

To read the match report click HERE“We wanted to overload the midfield area with our wide men coming into pockets and cause them problems.

“I thought first half we deserved more from our play as we were superb. We knew we’d wear them down and the chances would come.

“We scored goals at the right time, but it was a great performance and a great victory.

“We scored the goals, locked up the back door and shut up shop.”

He added: “I have learned in my short time as a manager that 2-0 is a horrible scoreline as , even though you want your players to stay professional, they may take that risk at 2-0 that they wouldn’t at 0-0. But I thought we were thoroughly professional at 2-0.

“I felt this would be a big opportunity tonight, the form we were in, to put three points on the board. It was a big block to step on and go forward and that was a big part of the team talk this afternoon.

“The work rate was unbelievable. We did a professional job and we want to put wins together now.”

On the latest clean sheet, Murray said: “It is just down to hard work. It is something the boys work hard on, we make sure everyone knows their jobs.

“We pride ourselves on clean sheets. But they will only keep happening if we stay level headed and stay focused.

“The biggest thing now is we don’t become complacent.

“Congratulations are the seeds for complacency. So we must move on now.”

Jamie McGuire made his first start of the season and gave a typical battling display in midfield.

“He was one of my biggest summer signings as I know what he brings to the table,” said Murray. “He makes me proud.”

Despite the win, striker Matt Green cut a forlorn figure at the end after missing a one-on-one chance near the end.

“He is obviously beating himself up as scoring goals is what he loves,” said Murray.

“But look at his team performance tonight - that was worth five goals as he sacrificed himself for the team.

“I have just said to him, everyone knows Matt Green will score 15 goals this season – that’s what he does.”