Burton Albion 1-2 Mansfield Town (EFL Trophy Group Five) 12.11.19
Mansfield Town are through to the second round of the Leasing.com Football League Trophy after beating Burton Albion 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium last night.
The Stags needed a win to jump from bottom to second in Group 5 and qualify for the second stages along with Everton U21’s for the last 32 which means John Dempster’s men are now just four wins from Wembley.
The away side started the evening with intent to win and after a bright start took the lead from who else but Danny Rose on his return to starting XI action. The Barnsley born striker produced a stunning chip on 23 minutes to put the Stags ahead.
Not content to sit on their lead Mansfield then made it two when Sweeney headed home from a corner to make it 2-0 on just 34 minutes. A minute later however the lead was halved by Templeton as he curled into the top corner of Robert Olejnik’s goal.
The Stags keeper was called upon shortly after making a great stop from Templeton before springing in to action again denying the former Rangers man who aimed to level things up before half time.
Another great save by Olejnik pushing Fraser’s drive away kept the score at 2-1 as John Dempster and his men were happy to hear the whistle for the break.
The start to the second half was less hectic defensively for the Stags who might have furthered their lead when Sterling-James volleyed wide. On 60 minutes Rose should have grabbed his second of the match firing wide one one one with the goalkeeper and five minutes later Tomlinson had his shot saved well by Garratt in the Burton goal.
With time running out Akins tested Olejnik whilst Daniel dragged his shot wide and despite late pressure the Stags defence were up to the challenge seeing off the Albion onslaught to take the victory and more importantly the points that see them into the last 32.
After the game Manager John Dempster said “It was a real team effort tonight from the boys who have played more league games and the players that are trying to carve a career for themselves, which was very good to see.”
“The young lads stepped up today – Clarkey was immaculate and Alistair Smith was very good in the middle of the pitch.”
“They were supported by our senior pro’s who were very encouraging and again they were matched by our brilliant away supporters.”
Burton Albion: Garrett, Daniel, Edwards, Buxton (Sarkic 46), Wallace, Quinn, Fraser, Akins, Templeton (Anderson 71), Sbarra, O’Toole (Brayford 76).
Mansfield Town: Olejnik, Preston, Mellis (Afolayan 67), Shaughnessy, Tomlinson, Sweeney, Clarke, Hamilton, Sterling-James (MacDonald 89), Smith, Rose (Graham 61).
Venue: Pirelli Stadium (485)
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc The Stags celebrate a memorable win.