Mansfield boss Nigel Clough paid tribute to his side’s gutsy defensive display as they dug deep to beat impressive visitors Bolton 2-1.
Bolton dominated the second half but were frustrated by the home side’s solid defending.
Clough said: “It was incredibly hard work and an immense effort by the players who were out there today, subs as well – everybody contributed.
“We had to sit in and defend a bit second half which is not generally how we like to do it. But we didn’t have much choice today.
“Bolton are exceptionally good going forward. They are one of the best footballing sides in the league.
“We have played them three times this season now and we are entitled to win one with the three performances we have put in. We were due a result against them.
“To win three out of four from the Christmas period is a brilliant return.”
Stephen McLaughlin’s deflected shot put Stags ahead after 20 minutes and, after Christy Pym had denied Aaron Collins and George Thomason had gone close for Bolton, Stags doubled their lead in the 36th minute as Lee Gregory held off defender Ricardo Santos and cleverly lifted the ball over the helpless keeper.
But Collins pulled one back four minutes later with a ruthless first-time finish from a low Thomason cross.
Dion Charles poked a great chance straight at keeper Pym in a one-sided second half while Randell Williams fired wide of the far post as Stags stood firm.
Bolton manager Ian Evatt said: “It was just two lapses in concentration in a game we had completely dominated.
“It was one of the most one-sided games you will ever see, so it’s so frustrating.
“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb but we should have still climbed it.
“We had so much possession, so much territory and so much dominance, but we made too many wrong final decisions.
“In terms of the general performance, there wasn’t a lot wrong with it.
“We just have to be better and more clinical in the final third – the one time we were, we scored.
“In terms of an away performance it was as dominant as you will see – and this is a tough place to come and a side that is very difficult to play against.
“Because we had conceded the two goals we became a bit panicky and that caused us to make erratic decisions in the final third.
“After we scored I honestly thought we’d go on and win it. I thought we’d take over and control it but we became too rushed through scoreline pressure.”
