A victory for the Stags and defeat for Cheltenham at Plymouth by the same two goal margin gave the Stags automatic promotion to Division 2.  The afternoon was tension packed with cheers around the ground after news of the goals at Home Park.  Indeed the game at Field Mill seemed to take a back seat after the Stags had cruised into a 2 goal lead.  As promised earlier in the week boss Stuart Watkiss rang the changes at the back, both Adam Barrett and Stuart Reddington were dropped, indeed Barrett didn't even make the bench.  Allen Tankard moved in field to partner fit again skipper Les Robinson at centre half, Martin Pemberton came back into the starting eleven at left back.  Lee Williamson retained his place ahead of Craig Disley who was joined on the bench by youngster David Jervis.  Carlisle included highly rated Lee Andrews in a midfield role.  Before the game Bobby Hassell was  awarded the Chad and Stags Supporters Association Player of the Year trophies and youngster Jake Buxton was awarded the Jack Retter Trophy as Youth Team Player of the Year.

In front of the Stags biggest crowd of the season the home side began in confident fashion and looked for that vital early goal.  White was the first to test Keen with a great volley after good work from the lively Greenacre, the Carlisle keeper tipping the ball over the bar. The goal, when it came, was a superbly worked set piece, not something we've been able to say too often this season!!  Corden took a short left wing corner to Murray who chipped the ball into the near post where Greenacre nodded down for Corden to blast home a half volley which Foran could only head into the roof of the net.  Just moments later news came through of a goal at Home Park for Plymouth and the celebrations began once more.  The Stags were really on top and playing some fine football, however, Stevens should have equalised after a low free kick from Bell evaded two Stags defenders and found the Carlisle striker just yards from goal, somehow he scooped his finish over the bar.   White then headed a Sellars corner straight at the keeper as the Stags looked like adding to their tally at any time.  More cheers around the ground as news came through of another Plymouth goal and then the Stags added a 2nd of their own and again a corner provided the ammunition. Corden chipped the ball in, Tankard headed goalwards, Williamson tried to chest the ball down to have a strike at goal himself but before he could get to it White powered the ball into the roof of the net from 5 yards.  The Stags were well on top and perhaps could have added more goals before the break.

Half Time:  2-0

At half time the ineffective Stevens was replaced by Halliday as Carlisle attempted to get back into the game.  Indeed the 2nd half was a much more even affair with both sides seemingly happy to retain the status quo.  Indeed Pilkington remained untroubled throughout as the Stags strolled through the half, though in fairness Carlisle keeper Keen was hardly tested either.  The nearest the Stags came to a goal was when Murray brilliantly worked his way through but after taking the ball past the keeper found his angle to acute and his shot flew out for a throw on the far side.  With no further additions to the score from Plymouth the fans entered celebration mode, one particular chorus of "yellows" sung by the three sides of Stags fans sent shivers down the spine.  A great touch by Stuart Watkiss saw 28-goal striker Chris Greenacre substituted with just over ten minutes to go, more than likely this was Chris' last game for the Stags and I'm sure he will forever remember the standing ovation he received from the grateful Mansfield public.  More substitutions followed with Disley replacing Sellars and Jervis replacing player of the year Hassell.  There was time for one more great chance, Kelly bursting through and seeing his shot saved by Keen and then just avoid the right foot of White.  At the end thousands of fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate promotion as the result from Home Park was confirmed.

So a great afternoon to be a Stag.  Though on our travels we have had some really bad days, it is now we should look back on some of the stunning performances the team has given this season.  From the total demolition of Hull and Luton to the gutsy fight back against Scunthorpe, the FA Cup run which saw us so narrowly beaten by Leicester to the superb away win at Lincoln Stags fans have been royally entertained this season and can now look forward to local derbies with Chesterfield and Notts County, Steve Parkins Barnsley and many other mouth watering ties.  Congratulations to Stuart and the players, get in!!!!!!!!

Man of the Match:  Les Robinson