The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Mansfield Town have apologised to Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Rainworth Miners Welfare for sending a youth side to Kirklington Road at the last minute on Wednesday.

The Wrens billed the friendly as a first team fixture but the Stags sent a development side instead after they were hit by an injury and illness crisis.

Another Stags match this week at Evo-Stik Southern Stourbridge was cancelled altogether with so many Mansfield players out but rather than cancel the Rainworth game too, the Blue Square outfit sent a young side instead.

Rainworth say local media announcements through the day cut the expected bumper attendance to 255, hitting expected gate receipts, but accept their near neighbours had problems beyond their control.

Stags manager Paul Cox found a sympathetic ally in Wrens boss Kevin Gee, who was in forgiving mood after watching his side record a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Gee insisted: "Irrespective of the strength of the squad which Mansfield sent, we prepared for a game and were given a game. You have to be respectful of the situation that Paul and the Stags found themselves in and be thankful that they brought a team here at all."

He added: "At least we played in a match, and an entertaining one at that so it was still a good work-out for us. Development squads are a massive part of clubs like Mansfield and the players who came were representing their club and did so with pride."

Gee was also delighted with his side's performance despite the weakened opposition.

"We played against a good passing side but with the experience we have we were always going to be stronger," he said. "We took a lot more positives out of it, but there are other aspects of our play still to be fine-tuned.

"It’s a work in progress for us, but people are starting to see the way we will play this season. In certain areas we were excellent, and in others we saw scope for improvement. Scoring three goals and keeping a clean sheet is a recipe for winning matches, although our passing was a little sloppy early on."

He added: "The big difference between now and last season is that we are going into games expecting to win and believing we can win."

The Wrens entertain Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday, visit Central Midlands outfit Sutton Town on Tuesday night, and wrap up their friendlies on Saturday week at home to another Evo-Stik NPL Premier side, Matlock Town.