Mansfield Town have confirmed caretaker boss Duncan Russell as their new manager until the end of the season.

Former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney had been widely tipped to take over almost as soon as previous manager David Holdsworth left on 18 November.

But Russell, 52, impressed during a three-game stint in charge.

Stags chairman John Radford said: "I am delighted. I believe I have found the right man to lead us back where we belong - into the Football League."

Penney was on a shortlist of four drawn up by Radford and was the firm favourite.

But Radford said Russell earned his short-term contract for a variety of factors including his record of working with high-quality players at Championship level, his contacts, the respect he has earned from the playing squad - as well as his unbeaten record in temporary charge.

606: DEBATE Interesting that Russell has got it. Nothing against the guy, but I'm not sure how this fits in with JR's preference for a "man with experience" frogspawn_for_brains

Radford added: "The way he handled the role as caretaker manager, in addition to the results he secured, has proved to me that we can now expect continued success on the pitch this season."

Russell, who has held coaching roles at six different clubs over the last 12 years including Derby County, Walsall, Wolves and MK Dons, joined the Stags as Holdsworth's assistant at the start of the season.

Former Jamaica international Paul Hall will continue in his role as assistant manager.

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