NIGEL Clough believes Mansfield have restored their pride in time for the visit to Valley Parade.

The Stags halted a run of five games without a win when Jordan Bowery’s volley beat Morecambe at the weekend.

It was a much-needed pick-me-up for the Stags, who had conceded six goals in their previous two home games against Bolton and Cambridge.

And another defeat at Harrogate last week called for back-to-basics approach from Clough to stop the rot.

“We had a chat with the players and said we had to put that behind us quickly,” he said.

“I hope the pride’s been hurt a little bit. It’s hurt our pride, management and coaching staff, that we’ve conceded six goals in the last two weeks or so."

No wonder he described Saturday’s result as “the best three points of the season” as they prevented Morecambe from having a single shot on target.

Mansfield, like so many in this topsy-turvy division, have gone through hot and cold spells.

Prior to the recent dip, they had carved five successive victories through December and January to move as high as 13th.

They are currently six points behind the Bantams from a game more but a comfortable 11 clear of the drop zone.

Clough took over at the start of November following the sacking of Graham Coughlan, who lost his job 12 days after City’s 3-1 win at Field Mill.

He said: "We're taking it very much game-by-game. We want to get safe as the bottom line, but we also want to get into that top half of the league."

There is likely to be a familiar face on the Mansfield bench – experienced defender Jake Wright.

The former Bingley Grammar School pupil, who began his career at Valley Parade, has joined the Stags for the rest of the season.

The 34-year-old had started the season with Hereford before being released in November and has been training with the Stags since the turn of the year.

Clough said: “He is very much a defender; he likes tackling, heading, kicking. He has not looked out of place at all.”