Newcastle United loanees Matty Longstaff and Elliot Anderson will be hoping to drive their sides on to League Two promotion.
The Magpies pair have been influential at their loan sides since making the temporary moves until the end of the season on deadline day in January.
But with the business end of the season upon us, the margin for error when chasing Football League promotion can be minimal.
With the international break in full flow, there was no pause in action for either Mansfield Town or Bristol Rovers.
Nigel Clough’s Stags came from 1-0 down to score a 95th-minute winner away at Oldham Athletic. Longstaff continued his rich vein of form by assisting Rhys Oates for Mansfield’s equaliser.
It was the 22-year-old’s fourth direct goal involvement from his last five matches. Longstaff finished the game with 45 touches and three chances created, as well as two tackles and one interception (WhoScored).
The win took Mansfield up to eighth place in the table and Clough’s men have at least two games in hand on every side above them apart from league leaders Forest Green Rovers.
One of the sides above Longstaff’s Mansfield is Joey Barton’s Pirates.
Unlike Mansfield, who have 10 games left to be played, Bristol Rovers have seven games remaining and sit one point above the Stags.
After four straight league wins, Rovers lost 1-0 at Carlisle United yesterday afternoon.
It wasn’t for the lack of trying from Anderson in particular who once again looked to prove the difference for Barton’s side.
The-19-year-old had five shots on goal, two of which hit the target and he created two chances.
There is still every chance that Newcastle United duo Matty Longstaff and Elliot Anderson could taste promotion this season, but with the table getting tighter and tighter – the margin for error only intensifies.
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