Manager Alex Revell knows Mansfield Town will be their usual tough selves but the Stevenage boss also knows that hard work will be rewarded too.

Boro feel they should have come into the game on the back of three League One victories.

They managed two but the last one, away to Peterborough United, ended in a 2-1 loss, falling to practically the last kick of the game.

The Stags meanwhile sit third with only one defeat from their nine games this year, and five wins and a draw in their last six.

And for all their good form, Revell has full belief Stevenage can stop them in their tracks - if they put their troubles in front of goal behind them.

"They're really efficient," said the Boro boss. "Nigel [Clough] always gets his teams [where he wants]. 

"They're a team full of men and by that I mean they're strong, they're physical and they run, but they can play too. He's got them playing some really good football at the moment and the results of speaking for themselves.  

"We know it's always a challenge to go there but we've also been playing some really good football. 

"We should have been out of sight at Peterborough and we know what we need to improve on, it's clear for everyone to see. 

"Creating chances is hard but you have to take them when you do create them, especially at this level. 

"We have missed big opportunities [this season] so there's a demand and an accountability for your own individual performances and taking those opportunities. 

"But it’s also having the confidence and for us [as a management team] to make sure that players know, if they miss them, you just keep doing it and you keep getting in that situation. 

"Eventually it does turn you. If you love football, football will love you back and that’s the message we have given them. 

"We just have to keep going and keep improving because we've got that in us. 

"We’ve looked at players in training and the level has been excellent. 

"All you want know is for those players to take it into the games and if they do that, then we take chances and we win games and we reward the performances and the effort." 

Both clubs arrive at Field Mill off the back of an international break, and for Stevenage, the break was most definitely needed.

"We gave the players a bit of time off which was really important," said the boss.

"I think a few clubs did because we’ve played so many games in in such a short space of time. 

"And also with this run we've got now coming up, it's really important to give everyone time to refresh. 

"They've come back and they look in good shape, we’ve had another good week and we’ve had Jamie Reid and Eli King back today (Thursday) which was really important to get some work into them before Saturday. 

"All in all it was a really positive break. 

"We've seen in the performances the amount of work they are putting in. 

"The result in the league against Peterborough, just the way it happened and how well we played in that game, to come away with nothing, psychologically that takes a lot out of you. 

"And then with the Bristol Street Motors game, the way that went with the rain and the stoppages, the lads needed a break. 

"We do train them hard because we feel you should train how you play. We don't train for long but we train with intensity. 

"That adds up as well and then you've got games in between. 

"It's come at the right time but now we’re really excited for the next block of games."