CITY 1 MANSFIELD 0

IT IS now over a year since Valley Parade last rang to the sound of City fans.

The anniversary of that Plymouth game – watched by an audience of 15,225 – passed at the weekend.

The Bantams faithful would have so much to shout about right now.

A fifth win on the bounce – equalling a sequence last set 17 years earlier – maintained the feelgood factor.

It was not a vintage performance, and there were scares at both ends of the game, but City can currently do no wrong.

Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars were grateful to a typical poacher’s finish from Danny Rowe, who answered the criticism in fitting fashion after a couple of off-colour outings.

What a prospect for the weekend now and the visit of a Bolton side whose current purple patch boasts six successive victories. Valley Parade, in a normal year, would be fit to burst.

It was almost five years ago to the day that Mansfield boss Nigel Clough brought Burton to Valley Parade on a Tuesday night and was beaten by a Phil Parkinson side hitting their play-off stride.

That began a burst of six wins in seven that powered the Bantams into the promotion mix.

The current team were enjoying equally hot form going into their clash with Clough’s Mansfield – the best winning run since that time.

Clough had been as complimentary towards City in the build-up as Walsall boss Brian Dutton prior the weekend, describing them as the most confident side his men had faced all season.

The one home change from Saturday was enforced as in-form Andy Cook was barred from facing his parent club.

Rowe got the nod over Clayton Donaldson to take over the strike role – after a gentle kick up the backside from Trueman about getting back to his pre-illness high standards.

Any fears that Mansfield might try to “park the bus” as Leyton Orient had done in the previous home game were dispelled by a fast start from the Stags.

City had an immediate escape when Jason Law’s drive rattled the inside of the post after just two minutes.

Charles Vernam was cut down on the edge of the Mansfield box on the counter but Rowe’s free-kick was straight at keeper Aidan Stone.

But the visitors were quick to the ball and made it clear that City had a fight on their hands to extend the winning run.

They weren’t helping themselves by giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas and Ollie Crankshaw was the first City name in the book for a touchline foul on Kellan Gordon.

Callum Cooke screwed a volley wide from Connor Wood’s half-cleared cross but Mansfield continued to press high up the pitch and carry a speedy threat.

City had been forced to defend in numbers for most of the half and had done so diligently. But then they struck the opening blow on 32 minutes.

Vernam was kicked by Mal Benning just over the halfway line. Elliot Watt’s free-kick was nodded on by Niall Canavan, such a powerful presence again, and Rowe flicked it home from eight yards with an almost nonchalant right foot.

Having notched his third goal in a City shirt, Rowe then blasted an ambitious set-piece from way out but Stone had it covered.

City’s lead had come against the run of play but you could sense the belief building again.

Mansfield left back Mal Benning was booked for pulling down Ollie Crankshaw and Paudie O’Connor headed over from another decent Watt delivery. It looked a good chance.

The Stags did have the ball in the net before half-time but sub Harry Charsley had mistimed his run and was flagged offside when he dispatched Jordan Bowery’s through pass.

Despite their extra possession, Mansfield had not managed an effort at goal since that early close call.

The second half began in much more open fashion – and Rowe almost caught out Stone with a pinging effort out of nothing that the keeper just about managed to smuggle over the bar.

Rowe drove another over from outside the box as City brought on Billy Clarke for Crankshaw.

Anthony O’Connor’s slip allowed Mansfield to break but Connor Wood got an important touch to turn Charsley’s effort wide. It reminded everyone that their advantage was a narrow one.

It was a rare lapse from O’Connor who was swiftly back on it with two big interventions at the far post from Jamie Reid crosses. He continues to look very assured at right back.

Concentration remained the key for the Bantams, who threw on Clayton Donaldson and Jordan Stevens for the closing stages.

Cooke, who had been quieter by his recent standards, exploded into life with a fierce long-ranger that was well beaten away by Stone.

But Mansfield came so close to equalising as the game headed into stoppage time. Skipper Ollie Clarke ghosted in to meet Law’s corner but his flick header flew inches past the far post.

Clarke’s misery then continued when he was shown a straight red for elbowing Wood before the final whistle sounded seconds later.

CITY: Hornby 6, A O’Connor 8, P O’Connor 7, Canavan 8, Wood 7, Sutton 6, Watt 7, Vernam 6 (Stevens 77min), Cooke 6 (Cousin-Dawson 90min), Crankshaw 6 (B Clarke 58min, 6), Rowe 7 (Donaldson 77min). Subs (not used): Burrell, Scales, O’Donnell.

MANSFIELD: Stone 7, Gordon 6, Rawson 7, Sweeney 7, Benning 6, O Clarke 6, Maris 6 (Charsley 20min, 7), Quinn 6 (Sinclair 86min), Law 7, Reid 6, Bowery 6. Subs (not used): O'Keeffe, Perch, J Clarke, Wright, Stech.

CITY MAN OF MATCH: Anthony O'Connor.