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Evans brings his quirky tactics to breathe new life into Mansfield Town

By Will Maxwell

Mansfield Town will look to extend their winning streak under new manager Steve Evans when they travel to Brunton Park to face Carlisle United.

The former Leeds United boss says he turned down Championship club offers before joining the Stags. Evans, who strangely moved the team dugouts to the other side of the pitch before his first game in charge, has had a 100% win record since his takeover.

Top scorer Matt Green has seven goals so far this campaign but hasn’t scored for the Nottinghamshire club in over a month.

Goals have been hard to come by for Mansfield, who have the second worst goal-scoring record in the league and will be without veteran striker Darius Henderson who picked up a calf injury midweek.

They will also be without defenders Kyle Howkins and Alex Iacovitti, the latter missing the game due to suspension.

Carlisle have been scoring consistently this season, scoring 32 goals in the league this season and lie second place leaders Plymouth Argyle.

The Cumbrians have lost just once all season and will look to regain form after drawing to Grimsby Town last time out.

Midfielder Jason Kennedy is Carlisle’s surprise top scorer so far this season with seven though he is without a goal this month. Kennedy will seek support from Charlie Wyke, whose two goals in injury time completed a fantastic comeback win against Exeter City.

Wyke also got a goal midweek to put his tally up to six in the league this season. He will remember that he scored against Mansfield on his full home debut for Carlisle, ending in 2-1 defeat.

Manager Keith Curle has one major absentee from his squad, with winger Jamie Devitt seeing out the second game of his two match suspension.

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