New Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray claimed his first win at the fourth attempt thanks to a terrific resolute defensive performance by 10-man Mansfield and Verdaine Oliver’s 47th minute winner.

Afterwards Murray hailed keeper Dimitar Evtimov’s performance as the best he had seen by a keeper.

Murray said: “100 per cent that was the best display I’ve seen from a keeper. On days like this you need characters and players to step forward and it made a massive difference for us.

“With everything that went with it, the occasion and situations we faced during the 90 minutes, that was our best win of the season.”

Rob Taylor was red carded just after the half hour for a two-footed lunge. Murray said: “I couldn’t really see, but that was the first tackle I’ve seen him make in six months.”

Murray gave a surprise start to two players who had not been named in the first XI by him so far, midfielder Jamie McGuire and striker Matt Rhead.

Both played well, as did Chris Clements in midfield and loan defender Luke Waterfall.

The winner came when OLiver, on target for the second successive Saturday, Oliver shrugged off Goodman,ran into the area and drove in a low finish.