A cynical and clinical Mansfield claimed their first victory of the season against an abject Carlisle at Brunton Park today. 

Pantomime villain Danny Rose struck before partner in crime Nicky Maynard doubled the lead to continue their run of scoring two in each game of their campaign.

The Stags stood-up and decided not to be broken down by the Cumbrians’ unproductive passing play.

Steven Pressley opted for an unchanged lineup with new signing Elias Sørensen while John Dempster dealt with Jacob Mellis and Matt Preston’s suspensions.

Preston, CJ Hamilton and Otis Kahn dropped out for Ryan Sweeney, Willem Tomlinson and Hayden White – promoting a change of formation to a back three.

Referee Carl Boyeson was the talking point from minute one in the first half, as some baffling decisions were awarded to both sides.

Carlisle played the better football but when Harry McKirdy blazed over from close range, the game changed.

Mansfield took advantage as Rose got on the end of a Tomlinson cross at the back post, evading goalkeeper Adam Collin and left back Jack Iredale to score at an acute angle.

Then, carnage ensued. Neil Bishop and Rose both went down with supposed head injuries as Brunton Park grew tiresome of the visitors’ antics.

However, the Stags had the last laugh of the opening 45 minutes, scoring again when Hayden White took a bizarre drop ball – due to Boyeson touching the ball – and Rose squared to Maynard, who slotted into an almost empty net.

The Cumbrian faithful gave the referee pelters as he and his team entered the tunnel for another tempestuous half of League Two action.

Half-time: 0-2

Despite roars against the referee, Brunton Park was flat due to their team’s performance.

Mansfield strength and dark arts was too much to handle for Carlisle, who failed to penetrate their opponents’ flat back five.

Krystian Pearce was constantly appealing for fouls but won everything that came into his territory, behind a typically solid Neil Bishop.

Bishop was part of a midfield that used their physicality well, often pushing the home side wide – posing no threat.

Ryan Loft was isolated up front, and substitutes Sørensen and Hallam Hope failed to make an impact.

Conrad Logan was forced into minimal effort to prevent anything from crossing his line, and the biggest scare the Stags had was when Byron Webster appeared to be tumbled down inside the penalty area.

Cumbrian groans of frustration rang loud at the full-time whistle, as Mansfield earned an unorthodox three points against a naive Carlisle, who were a far cry from their midweek Oakwell heroics at Barnsley.

The OneCall Stadium will be ringing for the visit of Leyton Orient midweek as Dempster looks to build on a victory, while Pressley must hope for another bounce-back display against Cheltenham Town at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Tuesday.

Attendance: 4,586 (292)

Home star man: Mike Jones

Away star man: Neil Bishop

Referee: Carl Boyeson

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent