This is the first ever meeting between Mansfield Town and Port Vale in the League Cup.
Mansfield and Port Vale last faced in the 2021-22 League Two play-off final, a 3-0 win for the Valiants. The Stags are unbeaten in their last five on home soil, all in the league (W2 D3), since losing 1-0 in April 2003.
Mansfield are in the League Cup fourth round for just the second time in their history, reaching this stage in 1975-76 and beating top-flight Wolves to reach the quarterfinal, where they lost 4-2 to Man City.
Port Vale have reached the League Cup fourth round for just a second time, with their one game at this stage ending in a 3-1 defeat to Spurs in 2006-07. They have progressed from as many ties this season (3) as they managed in 15 attempts between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
With League Two side Mansfield facing League One’s Port Vale, this season is guaranteed at least one side from the bottom two tiers of English league football in the League Cup quarterfinal. Of the last six sides to do so, two were managed by current Stags boss Nigel Clough – Sheffield United in 2014-15 and Burton Albion in 2018-19 (both got to semifinal).