Notts County 0
Mansfield Town 1
The largest away following this season watched in delight as the stags took all three points from Meadow Lane and neighbours Notts County. It was a hard fought game with the home side applying pressure right to the final whistle but it was a much needed three points for the stags that could possibly keep our play off hopes arrive.
Caretaker Carlton Palmer was forced into one change this afternoon after failing to find a suitable replacement for Luke Dimech who is sitting out his first of a three suspension following his dangerous challenge last Week against Simon Yeo of Lincoln City. But this meant a reshuffle in nthe formation with the stags playing a regular 4-4-2.
IN came Shane Smeltz playing up front to partner Richie Barker, Derek Asamoah dropped back to a wide right midfield position and Alex Neil fell back into the right full back role.
ON the other side of the park the home side started with new signing Mark Stallard who had already done a stint at Meadow Lane and fresh from a loan period at League one side Chesterfield.
As was expected of a local derby the game started at a blistering pace with Stags courtesy of Derek Asamoah attacking the home side in the first 45 seconds. Asamoah beating both Rob Ullathorne and Kelvin Wilson turned and switched back to Alex Neil who crossed to Tom Curtis making his way forward. Curtis let rip with a shot that called keeper Saul Deeney into action early on.
Another effort from Smeltz on his first start in five minutes narrowly missed the mark.
A dangerous moment came in the nineteenth minute when a pass back meant for Pilkington was intercepted by the head of Gavin Gordon scraping the left upright bringing the home crowd to the feet but their celebration was pre-mature and the Stags sighed with relief for the let off.
A minute later Barker opened the scoring with a fine header from a free kick from Rundle deep in the Magpie's third.
Notts County 0 Mansfield Town 1
A great effort came in the 34th minute when Asamoah danced his way passed three County players before letting rip with a shot that scurried just over the crossbar.
The second half started as the first finished with both sides making breaks at goal but the best chance came in the 70th minute when Adam Murray through on goal couldn't find his footing to put the finishing touches to a Derek Asamoah cross.
Both sides made a change on the hour with the stags replacing Shane Smeltz with Simon Brown who went into the wide right position allowing Derek Asamoah to move forward and partner Richie Barker. And the Magpies brought on Chris Palmer to replace Tony Scully.
Another change came in the 75th minute when County brought on Stefan Oakes to replace Julien Baudet.
Surprisingly the first booking in this highly charged game came in the 85th minute when Adam Murray clattered Stefan Oakes just in the stag's half.
Three minutes later Gordon was added to Mr Dean's notebook for ungraciously bring Alex John-Baptiste to ground in the stags box. During the stoppage of play Glynn Hurst was brought on to replace Rob Ullathorne and as the game was fast approaching the dying minutes the frustrations were showing with Bolland been added to the book for back chatting the ref.
The fourth official indicated a minimum of three minutes and Simon Brown worked hard in the Magpies third beating his mark but wasted the chance by firing the ball into the side netting.
As the referee blew for time the 4000 or so travelling stags burst into elated song. And Sammy Stags was escorted out of the ground for running over to the home fans.
This was everything that you would expect from a local derby and the stags playing their hearts out with Richie Barker chasing every ball that came his way winning everything in the air and deservedly earning mansfieldtown.net's man of the match.
Notts County: Saul Deeney, David Pipe, Matthew Gill, Julien Baudet (Stefan Oakes 75), Gavin Gordon, Tony Scully (Chris Palmer 60), Paul Bolland, Rob Ullathorne (Glynn Hurst 88), Kelvin Wilson, Shane McFaul, Mark Stallard
Subs NOT Used: Robert Elliot, Matty Williams
Cautions: Gavin Gordon (88), Paul Bolland (89)
Mansfield Town: Kevin Pilkington, Tom Curtis, Adam Rundle, Alex Neil, Adam Murray, Derek Asamoah, Alex John-Baptiste, Jake Buxton, Richie Barker, Gareth Jelleyman, Shane Smeltz (Simon Brown 60)
Subs NOT Used: Jason White, Goma Lambu, Austin McIntosh, Fraser McLachlan
Cautions: Adam Murray (85)
Referee: Mr M Dean
Assts: Mr G Brittain, Mr M Short
4th Off: Mr A Penn
