Sunderland 0-1 Mansfield Town (FA Cup Round One) 07.11.20

Mansfield Town are through to the second round of the FA Cup after a fantastic win at League One Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

After a bright start for Mansfield Nicky Maynard was the first of the Stags to record an attempt after just four minutes when his shot inside the area was deflected out for a first corner for the away side. From the resulting set-piece James Perch rose highest although headed wide of the mark and to no avail.

On seven minutes Maynard tried his luck from range high of the mark but intent shown from Richard Cooper’s side that the away team meant business was a positive for the onlooking Nigel Clough. That intent from Mansfield forced Sunderland into action themselves and Danny Graham struck the outside of the post after latching on to a loose ball before Benning at the other end fired wide a great effort from outside the box.

Bowery had a fabulous opportunity on 24 to open the scoring for Mansfield after being played in by Maris to prod over the bar before Stech ten minutes later saved from McFadzean as the former Burton midfielder looked to open the scoring against his previous manager Mr Clough sat watching from the stands.

Clough would have been impressed with what he saw from his new team in the first half and in the second he would have been even more delighted with the start and especially with George Lapslie who headed home just four minutes after the break following a fantastic cross from Kellan Gordon.

Maris had an attempt blocked before Charsley tried his luck from distance with the former Everton man unable to trouble Matthews in the Black Cats goal.

Sunderland did have their spell in search of an equaliser and with five minutes to go Stech made a huge stop from the header of substitute Wyke but it wasn’t to be for a home side who met a buoyant Stags, too strong on the day as they win their first match of the season in all competitions in front of their new Manager.

What a way for Richard Cooper to sign off, and what a start for Nigel Clough as he takes control on Monday with a side full of confidence ahead of the trip to Scunthorpe in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

Sunderland: Matthews, McLaughlin, Flanagan, Sanderson, Diamond, Power, Dobson, McFadzean (O’Brien 75), Maguire (Embleton 65), Graham (Wyke 67), Grigg.

Mansfield Town: Stech, Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning, Charsley, Lapslie, Maris, McLaughlin, Bowery, Maynard (O’Keefe 81).

Venue: Stadium of Light

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc the players celebrate their winning goal at the Stadium of Light.