Boss Nigel Clough says Mansfield Town’s “desire” was what earned them victory against a Wigan Athletic side that the Stags could not match.
Brilliantly taken goals from Will Evans and Keanu Baccus either side of Thelo Aasgaard’s strike for Wigan earned Mansfield a third successive victory away from home.
Mansfield’s goals came from their only two shots on target, while Wigan were left frustrated as they controlled more than 65% possession and only managed to get four of their 22 attempts at goal on target.
“Football-wise, Wigan were far superior to us,” Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.
“But the quality of the two goals we scored, the work-rate, endeavour and the desire tonight, after Saturday, got us the three points.”
Victory keeps Mansfield fourth in the table and adds to their impressive early form on their return to the third tier for the first time in 21 years.
Before Saturday’s defeat against Stevenage, the Stags had won five successive League One games to go third.
The win at Wigan was Mansfield’s first against the Latics for more than 28 years in what was only their fifth meeting in that time.
It was only 12 years ago that the two clubs were five leagues apart, with Wigan a Premier League side and Mansfield still playing non-league football.
Tuesday night’s win now has the Stags 14 places above and 10 point clear of the Latics in 18th spot.
Clough said he had “players dead on their feet” for the exertions they made at The Brick Community Stadium, with the fine finishes from Evans and Baccus – whose winner was his first goal for the club – being what they needed to upstage their hosts.
“When Wigan are so good on the ball, you have to be really good when you do get an opportunity,” Clough said.
“We nicked a couple tonight.”