Stags banking on a Matt finish

MANAGER Adam Murray is set to persist with Matt Green as Mansfield bid to take Athletic’s FA Cup scalp.

The Stags boss reckons it’s a matter of time before the ex-Birmingham striker — who hasn’t scored in his last five games — rediscovers the form that made him such a hot property in non-league circles.

Green (28) scored 54 times in 87 appearances in the Conference, firing Mansfield to promotion two years ago.

The weight of those strikes earned him a move to Birmingham in the Championship, where injuries scuppered his chance of establishing himself.

Murray says it’s a matter of time before the former Oxford and Cheltenham man finds his touch in front of goal again.

“Nobody is going to be as hard on Greeny as he is,” Murray said. “The view is that he’s a massive part of what we do. The year we got promoted he didn’t start scoring until Christmas.

“People will say he’s not scoring, but imagine what it will be like when he does start.”

Describing the upcoming battle with Athletic as a “great challenge” for his men, Murray — who played in midfield during both games between the respective sides in this competition in 2013 — says that as a whole, his team’s barren scoring run must end soon. Like Athletic, Mansfield have drawn blanks in their last two outings.