����ý

Hiram Boateng says Mansfield will keep their "foot on the gas" after his hat-trick helped them to a club record-equalling 9-2 win over Harrogate.

It was the first time the Stags had scored nine in a league game since beating Rotherham 9-2 in 1932.

And it enabled Nigel Clough's team to close to within one point of League Two leaders Stockport, who lost to Crewe.

"It's something we need to let soak in because you don't do that often," Boateng told ����ý Radio Nottingham.

"We need to savour the moment but at the same time press on to Saturday and get our heads right for the next game.

"Our aim for this season is to get promoted. The boys aren't jumping around, bouncing off the walls, but we know we've played well and when we do play like that, teams can't live with us."

Mansfield began the campaign with a 17-match unbeaten run, and only lost once in 23 games up to the end of December.

Boateng, though, has had to be patient, having not started a league game since a 1-1 draw at Colchester on 16 September before being given another chance by Clough on Tuesday.

His three goals were his first of the season - and equalled his tally for the whole of the 2022-23 campaign.

"It was a brilliant night for the boys, equalling the club record for goals," he said.

"I've been waiting for my opportunity, making sure I'm doing all the right things in training, so that when my chance comes, I'm ready.

"Hard work does pay off and that's kind of my motto. For myself, it's just about keeping it going and hopefully I can get more minutes going towards the end of the season, and help the team push to the goal we want to achieve."

Boateng said the rout against Harrogate was due to the team's really positive mindset, after a stutter in January when they only took five points from five games.

He added: "It was just the way we set out. If we get a goal, we're going to go and get another one and keep pressing on. We didn't get complacent at any point and the link play for some of the goals was also brilliant.

"Although there were changes, regardless of who's playing we all know our jobs and know we're going to try to put our foot on the gas and not let teams live with us."

Mansfield, who will be looking for their fourth successive win in Saturday's visit to Walsall, scored their ninth in the 77th minute but could not find another to become the first side to manage 10 in a league game since Manchester City did so - against Huddersfield in 1987.

"We've got 15 games left, it's in our hands," said manager Clough.

"There's only thing that will defeat us - and that's us. We've got enough to get over the line this season. This is one game, three points, absolutely brilliant - Saturday will be a different kettle of fish."