Report By Steve Hartshorn
Poor Second half defending cost The Stags dearly as they slumped to their 2nd defeat of the season away at London Road, Peterborough last Saturday.
The Stags had had slightly the upper hand in the first 45 minutes, but failed to find the clinical edge needed to forge ahead and in the 2nd period were suitably punished by goals from David Farrell and Shaun St Ledger.
Stags were dealt an early blow when experienced goalkeeper, Kevin Pressman was ruled out with a back injury, Jason White deputising in an otherwise unchanged 4-4-2 from the previous weeks confident 3-0 home victory over Torquay United.
Stags got off to a blistering start, forcing two early corners, indeed the home side, who had not won in their previous five home encounters, failed to effectively get out of their own half for the opening ten minutes.
However despite The Stags early dominance the only serious strike on goal came from a blistering effort from Adam Rundle that flew straight into the arms of Mark Tyler in the Peterborough goal.
The home side were reduced to ten men when centre half, Chris Plummer had to leave the field for 10 minutes to receive attention to a head injury, ironically it signalled the start of a Posh revival, Peterborough forcing two corners. It was the first time that they ventured with menace into the visitors half.
On 22 minutes a Stags corner was not sufficiently cleared, Dawson returned the ball into the box where it was met by the head of Rhys Day, unfortunately for Stags, Tyler saved with ease.
Stags wasted the best chance of the game on 29 minutes. Adam Rundle delivered a cross where from 15 yards; it was met by a powerful header from the unmarked Richie Barker. However the big Stags striker was possibly guilty of meeting the ball too well and watched with anguish as his effort flew over the crossbar.
The home side came back and Farrell should have done better when a great cross from Adam Newton saw the Irish international head well wide. The Posh finished the half with a succession of corners but Stags defended well leaving the home side frustrated by a serious lack of goalscoring opportunities.
The second period was only five minutes old though when Posh achieved the breakthrough. Shaun St Ledger whipped in a cross from the left; Quinn headed the ball back across the goal into the path of David Farrell, who made no mistake from close range.
On 53 minutes, Simon Brown replaced Tipton as Stags tried to freshen things up and get back into the game.
Jake Buxton was cautioned rather unfairly after what the Referee deemed a foul on Adam Newton. To be fair to the young Stags centre half, it looked a perfectly timed tackle, but Referee, Mr Dorr had not had the best of afternoon's. Thankfully for Stags, the free kick came to nothing.
On the hour mark, Alex John-Baptiste entered the fray in place of Buxton and almost immediately Posh scored a second.Whereas the first goal could be deemed good play by the home side, their second goal can be attributed more to poor Stags defending than creative play. This time Farrell supplied the cross and St Ledger headed home virtually unchallenged.
Gus Uhlenbeek came on for Adam Rundle as Boss, Palmer tried to shake up his side into some kind of response.
On 78 minutes, Posh boss, Mark Wright obviously convinced the game was won, made a double substitution bringing off his front two Farrell and Quinn, replacing them with Benjamin and Logan.
Stags were looking very much a defeated side in what had been the worst 45 minutes of the season thus far. Indeed it wasn't until four minutes into stoppage time before The Stags created their first shot in anger of the second period. Barker's free kick falling into the path of Simon Brown who's tight angled effort was easily saved by Tyler.
This weekend Mansfield face the tricky trip to Boston United before the biggest home game of the season on Bank Holiday Monday when near neighbours, Notts County come calling.
Peterborough United: Tyler, Carden, Burton, Arber, Farrell (Logan 78), Gain, Newton (Semple 64), St Ledger, Plummer, Quinn (Benjamin 78), Day.
Subs not used; Harrison, Boucaud.
Mansfield Town White, Peers, Jelleyman, Day, Dawson, Barker, Tipton (Brown 53), Birchall, Buxton (John-Baptiste 60), McLachlan, Rundle (Uhlenbeek 72)
Subs not used, Coke, Beardsley.
Booked - Posh - Newton (34), St Ledger (42), Quinn (63), Gain (90).
Booked - Stags- Buxton (54), Jelleyman (74).
Referee - Mr S J Dorr
