Swindon head to Mansfield on the back of two draws against Cheltenham and Northampton in their final game of 2018.
Town’s Boxing Day draw against the Cobblers meant they have now drawn, lost and won the same amount of games – it was Keshi Anderson’s goal that ensured the equilibrium of results this season so far.
He struck just past the hour mark to cancel out Andy Williams’ early goal at Sixfields. That followed a goalless draw in the final game at the County Ground on 22nd December against Cheltenham.
The Oppo
Mansfield have finished 2018 in the best form in the league – they’re unbeaten in 15, winning eight. They’ve won every game in December against Notts County, Stevenage and Bury with Christopher Hamilton scoring three in those three games.
Their top scorer this season is Tyler Walker, on loan from Nottingham Forest – he’s grabbed 11 goals this season. He’s also scored three in their last three, bagging a brace in the victory away at Stevenage.
Head-to-Head
15 Mar 2003 Mansfield Town v Swindon Town L 2-1 League Division 2
05 Dec 2006 Mansfield Town v Swindon Town L 2-0 League Two
21 Apr 2007 Swindon Town v Mansfield Town W 2-0 League Two
14 Oct 2017 Mansfield Town v Swindon Town W 1-3 League Two
10 Feb 2018 Swindon Town v Mansfield Town W 1-0 League Two
20 Oct 2018 Swindon Town v Mansfield Town D 0-0 League Two
The Gaffer
David Flitcroft was appointed Mansfield Town manager in March 2018 after the departure of Steve Evans.
After a 19-year playing career which included long stints with Chester City, Rochdale and Bury, Flitcroft made the step into coaching by accepting a position with Keith Hill's Rochdale.
Prior to the start of the 2011/12 season, Flitcroft joined Hill as he departed for Championship side Barnsley, becoming assistant manager at Oakwell.
The following season, after Hill departed, Flitcroft was handed the reins on a permanent basis and led the Tykes to Championship safety on the final day of the 2012/13 campaign.
After leaving Oakwell in November 2013, the former Preston North End midfielder was appointed boss of League Two strugglers Bury just nine days later.
The Shakers were languishing in 20th when he took over, but Bolton-born Flitcroft transformed their fortunes, securing a comfortable 12th-placed finish in 2013/14.
Flitcroft joined Bury Football Club and embarked on a promotion challenge which ultimately ended in success with a 1-0 final day win over Tranmere Rovers, clinching promotion to League One.
The now Stags' boss parted company with Bury in November 2016 and accepted the vacant manager's post at Swindon Town prior to the beginning of last season.
