Mansfield boss Nigel Clough admitted the 2-1 League Two home win over battling Walsall had been the toughest and most pleasing of what is now a sensational 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions from the start of the season.
Aden Flint’s 16th-minute opener was cancelled out by Ryan Stirk’s 52nd-minute equaliser on his return to his old club before Jordan Bowery scuffed a 71st-minute winner, amid a string of missed chances for the home side.
On the run, Clough said: “It is absolutely incredible and I am delighted with it.
“Games like today are very important ones to win and it was probably the most hard-fought we’ve had out of the 19 games. It feels as good as any of the results we’ve had this season.
“We should have been out of sight again. We have to convert a bigger proportion of the chances we’re creating. We had plenty today and only scored two goals.
“Walsall are a very genuine side and you know they will cause you some problems at some stage in the game and for 10 to 15 minutes after their goal, they did.
“They came back from behind three times at Newport recently. They never give up and we never felt comfortable until the final whistle.”
Stags went ahead from a George Maris corner. Flint’s far-post header was kept out by a combination of goalkeeper and crossbar and Davis Keillor-Dunn’s follow-up was blocked before Flint fired home from close range.
But Walsall levelled from their first shot on target as Tom Knowles got down the right and crossed low for Stirk to bury.
Mansfield continued to create chance after chance and won it when Will Swan’s cross was met by a scuffed Bowery volley which went in off the far post.
Walsall boss Mat Sadler said: “There was plenty there for me to be pleased with but we are frustrated to end up on the wrong side of the result.
“We knew they would be a threat from set plays. Aden Flint is a big old lump and he is fantastic in the air. He has done that time and time again and we were unable to stop him – which gave them that momentum.
“The winner was a very stuffy goal to concede. It was frustrating as I thought we were on top in the second half. Nothing really dropped for us.
“We came out really well. We switched to a 4-3-3 just before half-time and it that seemed to alter the momentum of the game and got us back on the front foot.
“I think we have a really good group and the makings of a team that can be very good in this division. We need to get some bodies back and improve things in January.”
